Yazar: Edmund Goldsmid

James I, born James Charles Stuart on June 19, 1566, ascended to the Scottish throne as James VI in 1567 and later united the crowns of England and Ireland with his accession as James I in 1603. Beyond his political and royal duties, James was a scholar and an author, widely recognized for his contribution to English literature and politics. Notably, James I authored “A Counter-Blaste to Tobacco” (1604), in which he deployed a robust and emphatic rhetorical style to decry the use of tobacco. This tract exemplifies the King”s engagement with contemporary issues through moral and philosophical lenses and reflects his personal aversion to the substance, which was growing in popularity at the time. His literary footprint also includes works on kingship, most importantly, “Basilikon Doron” (1599), where he provided advice on governance to his heir. His translation initiatives culminated in the commissioning of the “King James Bible” (1611), an endeavor that has left a lasting legacy in English-speaking Christian communities. Renowned for his complex prose, steeped in biblical and classical allusions, James I”s writings provide a window into the intellectual and cultural fabric of Jacobean England.