author

James Henderson

d. 1848

A Scottish physician, diplomat, and writer, he spent years in South America and turned those experiences into books that helped British readers picture Brazil and its politics. His life also took him into public service, including a stint as British consul in Colombia.

1 Audiobook

A history of the Brazil : comprising its geography, commerce, colonization, aboriginal inhabitants, &c. &c. &c.

A history of the Brazil : comprising its geography, commerce, colonization, aboriginal inhabitants, &c. &c. &c.

by James Henderson

About the author

Born in Scotland around 1783, James Henderson trained as a doctor before building a varied career as a traveler, diplomat, and author. He is best remembered for writing about South America at a time when the region was still little known to many British readers.

Henderson spent time in Brazil and later published works drawn from those experiences, including A History of the Brazil and A Picture of Brazil. He also served in British consular work in northern South America, including at Bogotá in Colombia, which gave him firsthand knowledge of the political changes unfolding there.

He died in 1848. Although not a household name today, his books remain valuable for the way they mix observation, history, and travel writing from the early nineteenth century.