Samuel Purchas

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Samuel Purchas

c. 1577-1626

English clergyman and editor who compiled several collections of writings on travel and exploration. Much of his original material has disappeared, and thus his books are the only source of important information about travel and exploration during this period. He became interested in reports of travel and, while serving in several pastorates, collected and edited a large number of these stories. His principal work is Purchas His Pilgrims which was published in four volumes in 1625.