The Story of America: Essays on Origins Characters

The Story of America: Essays on Origins Character List

Captain John Smith - “Here He Lyes”

Jill Lepore writes about Captain John Smith who is “buried somewhere under the marble floor of the largest church in London…who died in 1631, at the age of fifty-one.” Captain John Smith is a legendary historian whose works primarily explicate American history. Jill Lepore deconstructs some of Smith’s works.

William Strachey - “Here He Lyes”

William Strachey is a “Jamestown adventurer…who became secretary of the colony in 1609, had been in Instabul in 1607.” He is a significant contributor in America’s survey and history.

George Sandys - “Here He Lyes”

Sundays is another voyager who was “ the colony’s treasurer (and) had travelled, by camel, to Jerusalem and had written, at length, about the “ Mohametan Religion.” His writing elucidates the spiritual incentive of exploration.

Benjamin Franklin - “The Way to Wealth”

Jill Lepore focuses on Benjamin Franklin in “The Way to Wealth”. Jill Writes, “Benjamin Franklin’s genius gave him no rest.” Benjamin Franklin engrossed himself with activities such as writing and reading, for he knew that he would get bounteous time to slumber once he expires.

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