Marc Lescarbot
Marc Lescarbot was a seventeenth-century French historian and lawyer, known for his significant contributions to the documentation of early French colonization in North America. Originally from Northern France, Lescarbot practiced law in Paris before becoming intrigued by tales of adventure and commercial prospects in Acadia, told to him by Seigneur de Poutrincourt. In 1606, he embarked on a voyage to Acadia aboard the ship "Jonas," where he spent eighteen months helping to establish settlements, notably at Port Royal, and entertained the settlers with plays in his created Theâtre de Neptune.
After returning to France in 1608, Lescarbot resumed his law career while developing a keen interest in documenting his experiences and the broader history of French colonization. In 1609, he published the first volume of "Histoire de la Nouvelle France," which chronicled various French colonial attempts, including those in Acadia, Florida, and Brazil. His engaging writing style, which combined narrative, adventure, and literary insights, appealed to a wide audience and provided a unique perspective on New World explorations. The work was later expanded into two additional volumes published in 1611 and 1618, with subsequent editions continuing well into the twentieth century, solidifying Lescarbot's legacy in early North American historiography.
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Marc Lescarbot
Author
- Born: c. 1570
- Birthplace: Vervins, Picardy, France
- Died: 1642
Biography
Marc Lescarbot, a seventeenth century historian, was born in Northern France. Lescarbot studied law and practiced in the Parisian parliamentary courts. Through his law practice, Lescarbot met the Seigneur de Poutrincourt. Poutrincourt had sailed several times to Acadia, or New France, in order to establish commercial enterprises. (Acadia was a term used to refer to a large territory in North America stretching from Quebec to Philadelphia.) Upon returning from an Acadian trip in 1604, Poutrincourt enticed Lescarbot with tales of adventure and commercial prosperity in New France.
Lescarbot, who at the time had grown tired of his law practice, eagerly signed up for Poutrincourt’s next voyage for Acadia. In May of 1606, Lescarbot sailed with Poutrincourt on the ship “Jonas.” They landed in what was later referred to as Nova Scotia. Lescarbot remained in New France for eighteen months. During this time, he helped establish several Canadian settlements including the settlement at Port Royal. There he amused the first inhabitants with shows and plays in his newly established Theâtre de Neptune.
After returning to France in 1608, Lescarbot resumed his law practice, but also took time out for excursions abroad to Switzerland and other countries. He never lost his fascination for Acadia. With the encouragement of his friends, he began documenting the history of the New World as well as his own adventures in Acadia. In 1609, Lescarbot published the first volume of this work titled Histoire de la Nouvelle France. This work summarized all of the French attempts to colonize the New World, including colonies in Florida, Brazil, and Acadia.
Lescarbot’s writing style of mixing narrative with adventurous anecdotes and literary remarks presented a unique view into New World travels and made his historical work fascinating to the average reader. This principal work was enlarged to include two more volumes published in 1611 and 1618. Furthermore, six more editions continued to be published, including a twentieth century edition.