The Diary of John Evelyn (Vol. 1&2) (eBook)

John Evelyn (1620–1706) was an English writer, gardener, and diarist who has posthumously earned a place as one of the foremost figures in the literary landscape of seventeenth-century Britain. His enduring reputation is chiefly due to his extensive diaries, which have been cherished for their detailed observations of life during a turbulent period of English history. The 'Diary of John Evelyn' encapsulates an array of subjects, from political events, such as the English Civil Wars, the Restoration of Charles II, and the Great Fire of London, to philosophical and scientific discourse and daily social practices. Evelyn was not merely an observer but also a participant in public affairs, contributing to contemporary discussions on environmental conservation and urban planning. His cultivated mind and interests also extended to the realm of horticulture, where he authored 'Sylva, or A Discourse of Forest-Trees and the Propagation of Timber', a groundbreaking work in the sphere of forestry and arboriculture. Evelyn's diaries, published in two volumes, reveal a narrative style that is at once both personal and reflective, offering researchers and literary aficionados alike a window into the intellectual and socio-political fiber of the seventeenth century. His eloquent prose style serves not only as a historical record but also as a testament to the evolving prose norms of the age, making him a significant, albeit perhaps understudied, figure in English literary history.