Select Letters of Christopher Columbus

What it is

This 1870 volume, edited by R. H. Major and published by the Hakluyt Society, translates seven documents relating to Columbus's four voyages into English, with the Spanish printed at the foot of each page. Five of the letters are by Columbus himself, one is by Dr. Chanca, and one is an extract from the will of Diego Mendez.

Why it matters

Having Columbus's letters translated and printed alongside the original Spanish helped English-speaking readers access his firsthand accounts. The inclusion of writings by others, such as Dr. Chanca and Diego Mendez, shows how historians combine multiple voices to understand the voyages.

Look closer

• Why might an editor choose to print the original Spanish alongside the English translation?
• What is gained, and what might be lost, in a translation of Columbus's own words?
• Why include documents by people other than Columbus, like Dr. Chanca or Diego Mendez?