John Daly Burk
John Daly Burk (1772-1808) was an Irish political refugee who played a significant role in early American journalism and literature. In 1797, he founded two newspapers, The Polar Star and the Boston Daily Advertiser, although both eventually ceased publication. That same year, he gained attention for his patriotic blank-verse drama, "Bunker Hill: Or, The Death of General Warren," which resonated with audiences. Burk's subsequent work, "Female Patriotism: Or, The Death of Joan d'Arc," received a lukewarm reception, likely influenced by public sentiment towards France and the quality of its performances. His outspoken nature led to his arrest under the Sedition Act in 1798 for libelous comments against President Adams; as a non-citizen facing potential deportation, he fled to Virginia. In 1804, he published "The History of Virginia," the first comprehensive history of the state post-independence, written from a Jeffersonian perspective and utilizing Jefferson's resources. Tragically, Burk died in a duel in 1808 before completing this significant historical work, which was later continued and finished by others.
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John Daly Burk
Writer
- Born: c. 1772
- Birthplace: Ireland
- Died: April 11, 1808
- Place of death: Near Campbell's Bridge, Virginia
Biography
Born in 1772, John Daly Burk was a political refugee from Ireland. In 1797 he founded two American newspapers— The Polar Star and Boston Daily Advertiser and The Time Piece—both of which ultimately folded. Also in 1797, he wrote the blank-verse drama Bunker Hill: Or, The Death of General Warren, whose patriotic theme proved popular with audiences. In 1798 he wrote the drama Female Patriotism: Or, The Death of Joan d’Arc, whose tepid reception was due in part to the general public’s negative attitude toward the French and in part to the poor quality of the acting. John Daly Burk was arrested in 1798 under the Sedition Act for making libelous statements against President Adams. As he was not an American citizen, he faced deportation, and he fled to Virginia to avoid this fate. In 1804 John Daly Burk published The History of Virginia, the first history of Virginia written after it became a state. He wrote the history from a Jeffersonian stance, and it benefitted greatly from Burk’s access to Jefferson’s collection of old newspapers and legal documents. John Daly Burk died in a duel in 1808, before the history was finished. It was continued by Skelton Jones, who also died in a duel before finishing the book, and Louis Hue Girardin (Louis-François Picot), who finally completed it in 1816.