history
The Traveller by Andrea Wulf review
A revelatory account of the life of George Forster, whose rejection of racial hierarchies stood out amongst his peers
TL;DR
- George Forster's childhood travels in Russia sparked his passion for exploration and compassion for diverse cultures.
- As an assistant naturalist on Captain James Cook's expedition, Forster showed concern for the impact on Pacific island societies.
- Forster became friends with Indigenous people, admiring their cultures and critiquing his crewmates' actions.
- He challenged the racist philosophies of his time, including those of Kant, and advocated for universal human rights.
- Despite his intellectual contributions, Forster faced personal hardships later in life, including debts and social ostracism.