The Traveller - The Revolutionary Life of George Forster and his Search for Humanity

Andrea Wulf paints a picture of a man of profound curiosity and brilliance. He joined Cook''s second voyage at the age of seventeen, an exploration of vast contrasts from the icy world of Antarctica to tropical islands of the South Pacific. Studying the diverse nature, peoples and cultures he encountered, he came back imbued with a deep belief in the equality of races - an understanding far ahead of his time. On his return he was feted in England, France, Germany and Poland, using his fame to advocate for freedom and women''s rights and against empire, racism and slavery. Wulf traces how Forster - inspired by the French Revolution - became a leader of the short-lived Republic of Mainz, before being declared an outlaw in Germany and forced into exile in Paris during the Reign of Terror.

Vivid, engaging and drawing on Forster''s rich correspondence almost entirely unpublished in English, The Traveller recounts an extraordinary, passionate life largely forgotten by history.<>

Product details

• Authors: Andrea Wulf, Wulf Andrea
• Publisher: Allen Lane
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 02.06.2026
• EAN: 9780241711217
• ISBN: 978-0-241-71121-7
• No. of pages: 496
• Dimensions: 156 mm x 240 mm x 28 mm
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Biographies, autobiographies; Europe, SCIENCE / History, BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Science & Technology, HISTORY / Australia & New Zealand, 18th century, c 1700 to c 1799, History of Science, Australasian & Pacific history, Biography: science, technology & medicine, Biography: historical, political and military, Biography: science, technology and medicine, Australasian and Pacific history, Australasia, Oceania, Pacific Islands, Atlantic Islands, Social discrimination and social justice, nature; technology; physics; evolution; autobiographies