ABSTRACT
Hakluyt's own account of his induction to geography by his cousin, Richard Hakluyt of the Middle Temple, some time before 1570, is justifiably famous and as often quoted. Hakluyt began his work at the moment when continental geographers and cartographers were far ahead of Englishmen, and it was Hakluyt who by his constant endeavour to keep in touch with the best work being done abroad, brought the new geography fully to the attention of his contemporaries. Hakluyt's own account of his induction to geography by his cousin, Richard Hakluyt of the Middle Temple, some time before 1570, is justifiably famous and as often quoted. What statesmen and men of affairs required were reliable facts about the new discoveries and these Hakluyt set himself to supply in the interests both of policy and action. His approach to geography is therefore an empirical one.
