Title: Turkey
First published: 1854
Description: Porter served as a diplomat in Constantinople from 1747 to 1762. These volumes contain his important papers especially with respect to the Ottoman Empire, but also to other important diplomatic events during his career. For example, the appendix of Volume I contains letters from other people written to or about Porter, and also includes a journal that Porter kept while in Vienna in 1741, documenting negotiations between Prussia and Austria under Frederick the Great and Maria Theresa respectively. Vol. I was edited from Porter's previously published "Observations on the Turks," letters, and other papers, and is organized by theme in order to elucidate Turkey through Porter's eyes. A memoir of him, written by his grandson, begins the volume. The first volume contains a general introduction to the Ottoman Empire, with physical, industrial, economic, historical, religious, and social descriptions. The second volume focuses on the religious and civil government of Turkey, the law, education (including public libraries), the financial system, the military and navy, and social commentary.
Subjects: Politics and government, History
Places: Turkey, Europe
People: James Porter Sir (1710-1786)
Time periods: 1648-1789, Ottoman Empire, 1288-1918