"John Smith"

This blog post is comprised on my notes on the "John Smith" author introduction as presented in the 7th edition of The Norton Anthology of American Literature Volume A.

Text Notes:

• John Smith lived from 1580 until 1631.
• He played a crucial role in establishing the colony at Jamestown and ensuring its continuance under the corporate colony model that was established and favored during the 1600s.
• After an early life with multiple military experience, John Smith was named to the ruling council of Virginia by London partners in December of 1606.
• Despite being rather volatile of temper and inclined to the use of excessive force at times, Smith was voted to be president of the ruling council; this essentially made him the governor of Virginia.
• Smith was not able to garner the lasting influence that he craved from his political career in Virginia, but his published version of events surrounding his imprisonment by Powhatan and his perceived rescue by Pocahontas (he may have only been part of a ceremony inducting him as an adopted member of the tribe) created the fame and immortality he wanted when it was written 15 years after he left Virginia for good.
• Smith's writings are considered as means that bridge the gap between Virginia and New England.