Atlantic Journal, and Friend of Knowledge, 1832–1833: A new, broad‑scope periodical for natural and historical sciences
This nonfiction work presents a prospectus for a quarterly to monthly journal edited by C.
S. Rafinesque. It promises a wide range of knowledge intended to enlighten and improve the mind, covering agriculture, economy, the useful arts, literature, and facts over fiction.
Readers will encounter original articles and tract-style pieces on natural and historical sciences, with notable emphasis on new plant and animal discoveries, languages, and historical topics. The edition frames American history, linguistic studies, archaeology, and natural history as central concerns, while offering warnings against overreaching claims and urging careful scholarship.
- About 160 original articles and tracts on natural and historical sciences.
- Descriptions of around 150 new plants and 100 new animals or fossils.
- Vocabularies of languages and discussions of historical facts.
- Editorial perspective from Rafinesque, aiming for practical, publishable knowledge.
Ideal for readers seeking a foundational, survey-style resource on science, language, and early American scholarship from the period.