A History of the British Presence in Chile From Bloody Mary to Charles Darwin and the Decline of British Influence

by Edmundson, William

• ISBN13: 9780230114838
• ISBN10: 0230114830
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-09-15
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Summary

Chileans are often called the 'English of South America'. This book narrates the tremendous influence that British visitors and immigrants have had on the history of Chile, starting in 1554 with 'Bloody Mary' becoming Queen of Chile. This is an informed, comprehensive, and balanced account that includes original research, and will appeal to students of Latin American history, the general reader, and travelers to Chile. Edmundson tells several stories, including Charles Darwin's seventeen months in Chile, the British stamp on the history of Patagonia, the story of the 'Nitrate King', and British participation in the War of Independence.

Author Biography

William (Eddie) Edmundson works as a consultant and writer in Recife, Brazil, following a career in teacher training and management with the British Council that has taken him to Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, and his most recent appointment as British Council Director in Cuba. Fluent in Spanish (and Portuguese), he started research into the history of the British presence in Chile while Director of the Chilean-British Institute in Concepción, in 1984-1990. This led to several talks and articles on the subject, in English and Spanish, both in Chile and in Britain. His publications include “Ayrshire to Arauco: The Voyage of the Colinda,” Geogscot, The Royal Scottish Geographical Society (1993); “Calle Exeter and Rua Charles Darwin: British Studies on Your Doorstep,” British Studies Now, the British Council (1994); “La batalla de Coronel,” Revista de la Sociedad de Historia de Concepción (1990); and “Los británicos en la zona carbonífera,” Revista de la Sociedad de Historia de Concepción (1988). Edmundson has also published widely on English language teaching, and on the survival of steam locomotives in Latin America.

Table of Contents

Introduction: A Mysterious Sympathy * Pirates, Buccaneers, Privateers, Corsairs, & Circumnavigators * Explorers by Sea * British Naturalists in Chile * Chile’s Wars * Visitors and Explorers on Land * British Artists in Chile * British communities in Chile * Commerce and Industry * Mining * Banking * Railways * Education * Religion * Sports * The Battle of Coronel * The decline of British influence * The imprint that remains: Family Names & Geography