ABSTRACT
The American Republican politician Aaron Burr (1756–1836) was born in Newark, New Jersey, into an eminent New England Presbyterian family. Burr had long been interested in the writings of Mary Wollstonecraft and is said to have brought up his daughter Theodosia (1783–1813) in accordance with her educational and social theories. When Burr arrived in London, Godwin was one of the two reformist intellectuals whose company he sought out, the other being Jeremy Bentham. Burr first called on Godwin in October 1808, after which he became a regular family visitor until he left for the Continent in April 1809. The journal which Burr kept during his four-year tour of Europe was intended partly for his own use, and partly for the amusement of his daughter, to whom he regularly sent portions by mail. This chapter presents extracts from Burr’s entries for 22 January, 15 February, and 1 March 1812.
