Morgan, Joseph
Entry updated 9 January 2023. Tagged: Author.
(1671-1742) US minister, entrepreneur and author in various modes. His The History of the Kingdom of Basaruah [for subtitle see Checklist] (1715; cut vt Brief History of the Country of Humanity [for subtitle see Checklist] 1728), as by A Traveller in Basaruah, stands as the first prose fiction written and published in what would become the USA. Though more important as an allegory than as an example of Proto SF, Basaruah does represent the narrative of an Imaginary Voyage to an extensively described Utopia far to the north of America, where some religious tolerance is practised. That such a text is America's first native fiction has a clear iconic significance. [JC]
Joseph Morgan
born New London, Connecticut: 6 November 1671
died Monmouth, New Jersey: 1742
works
- The History of the Kingdom of Basaruah, Containing A Relation of the most Memorable Transactions, Revolutions and Heroick Exploits in that Kingdom, from the first Foundation thereof unto this Present Time. Collected from the most Antient Records of that Country, and Translated into our Language, not only for Delight, but for the Abundant Instruction that may be Learned There-from, in these Remote Parts. Written in Discharge of the Trust reposed in the Author by His Majesty, for the Discovery of Foreign things. By a Traveller in Basaruah (Boston, Massachusetts: Printed, and sol by the Book-sellers of Boston, 1715) as by a Traveller in Basaruah [binding unknown/]
- Brief History of the Country of Humanity: Giving an Account of the first Settlement of that Country under My Lord Love God, the first Governour under the King. Its being Taken by an Army of Intruders, thro' the Treachery of Mr. Love Self, who Usurped the Government. The Devastations Made in the Country by the Intruders. The Opposition Made Against them by Capt. Prudence. The Re-taking of the Country by Gen. Gospel. And the Wars in the Country during those Times (Boston, Massachusetts: Printed for Samuel Gerrish at the Lower End of Cornhill, 1728) as by A Traveller in Basaruah [cut vt of the above: binding unknown/]
- The History of the Kingdom of Basaruah, and Three Unpublished Letters (Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 1946) [vt: scholarly edition of the above with introduction by Richard Schlatter identifying the author: hb/]
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