An Account of the Dreadful Earthquake and Fire, Which Destroyed the City of Lisbon

On the morning of November 1, 1755, the thriving city of Lisbon was irrevocably transformed by one of the most devastating earthquakes in recorded history. Followed by a ferocious fire and a monstrous tsunami, the pullback of which revealed all manner of forgotten shipwrecks in the vicinity of the harbour, this catastrophe left the city in ruins and sent shockwaves across Europe in more than the literal sense. It had profound impacts on European philosophy and science, influencing Enlightenment thinkers like Voltaire and Kant; spurred advancements in seismology and disaster response; reshaped Lisbon’s urban planning; and marked a turning point in the understanding of natural disasters’ effects on society and governance. In his gripping witness account, published anonymously in the same year, an English merchant vividly describes the horror and chaos that unfolded in the Portuguese metropolis, capturing the raw emotion and stark reality of the cataclysm. This new edition brings the tragedy to life with a collection of period illustrations that offer a visual journey alongside the compelling text. See the devastation through the eyes of those who lived it, or saw the immediate aftermath, and immerse yourself in the monumental disaster with this important historical record. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a scholar, or simply a lover of captivating stories, this book promises to deliver a profound and unforgettable reading experience.