Colonial Prose and Poetry: All Volumes

*Illustrated with more than 20 pictures of William Penn, the Founding Fathers, and authors

*Includes Table of Contents

Long before the United States became a free country, Europeans from all backgrounds entered the continent, and they began to commingle with Native Americans, often not peacefully. However, the mixtures of different ethnicities created a diverse and original culture that became quintessentially American by the time the American Revolution started in 1775. 

This anthology was compiled by William P. Trent, a professor of English at Columbia. The 57 writers in these three volumes of colonial poetry span more than a century and a half and represent the literary and cultural trends in Colonial North America—from the confrontation with the American Indians to Puritan life to opposition to slavery.

Volume I contains the writings of 15 authors who were among the earliest settlers of America from 1607-1650, including the poetry of Anne Bradford, the sermons of John Mather and Roger Williams, and the descriptions of explorers like John Smith.

Volume II contains the writings of 20 authors who were among the first and second generations of American settlers from 1650-1710, including accounts of Native Americans, discussions of the Salem Witch Trials and Bacon’s Rebellion, and poetry and religious sermons. Among the authors in this anthology are Increase and Cotton Mather, William Penn, the poetry of Anne Bradford, the sermons of John Mather and Roger Williams, and Edward Johnson.

Volume III contains the writings of 22 authors who were among the most influential leaders and writers of the Revolutionary period. Among the authors in this anthology are Benjamin Franklin, preacher Jonathan Edwards, Royal Governor Thomas Hutchinson, and Dr. Benjamin Church.

This edition of Colonial Prose and Poetry includes over a dozen pictures of Colonial American leaders like William Penn and the Founding Fathers, as well as images of Quakers and Native Americans. It also includes pictures of some of the authors and a Table of Contents for easier navigation.