John Braithwaite (author) facts for kids
John Braithwaite (born in 1696, died in 1740) was an English writer.
A Life of Adventure
John Braithwaite, whose name was sometimes spelled Brathwaite, wrote a book called The History of the Revolution in the Empire of Morocco upon the Death of the late Emperor Muley Ishmael. This book was published in 1729. It was so popular that it was translated into Dutch in 1729, German in 1730, and French in 1731.
In his book's introduction, Braithwaite shared some details about his life. He said he worked for the African Company. When he was very young, he was in the navy during Queen Anne's time. Later, he became an officer in the Welsh fusiliers and then in the Royal Guards. He also worked as a secretary for his relative, Christian Cole. Cole was the British representative in Venice, and Braithwaite traveled with him across Europe. Braithwaite married Christian's niece, Silvia, whose father was a merchant in Amsterdam.
Braithwaite also mentioned that he went on trips to Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent. He was also present during a big battle at Gibraltar in 1727. After that, he traveled to Morocco. There, he joined John Russel, who was the British consul-general. Together, they went on a journey through the emperor's lands. Braithwaite wrote about these experiences in his book. His diary in the book covers the time from July 1727 to February 1728.
His Family and Later Life
Colonel John Braithwaite died when his ship, the "Baltick Merchant," was attacked. A French-Spanish privateer ship called the "Biscaya" captured it near the Scilly Isles. Braithwaite was killed after his ship surrendered.
He left behind his wife, Silvia (whose maiden name was Cole). He also had an older daughter named Caroline, who married Robert Armitage. His only son was Major-General Sir John Braithwaite, 1st Baronet. He also had a younger daughter named Sylvia. It is thought that Sylvia was born after her father, Colonel Braithwaite, died. She later married the poet Bonnell Thornton.
His wife, Silvia, later remarried Reverend Thomas Winstanley. They had another son named Thomas, who passed away at the age of 21. The elder Silvia died in 1799.
