A History of the British Presence in Chile: From Bloody Mary to Charles Darwin and the Decline of British Influence

Chileans are often called the ‘English of South America’. This book narrates the tremendous influence that British visitors and immigrants have had on the history of Chile, starting in 1554 with ‘Bloody Mary’ becoming Queen of Chile. This is an informed, comprehensive, and balanced account that includes original research, and will appeal to students of Latin American history, the general reader, and travelers to Chile. Edmundson tells several stories, including Charles Darwin’s seventeen months in Chile, the British stamp on the history of Patagonia, the story of the ‘Nitrate King’, and British participation in the War of Independence.