Gordon Daviot & Josephine Tey 
The Privateer 

In the sweeping historical epic ‘The Privateer, ‘ Gordon Daviot (pseudonym of famous Josephine Tey) pens the life and triumphs of Henry Morgan, a Welsh pirate turned hero, within the rich tapestry of 17th-century Caribbean conflicts. The narrative, characterized by its sharp detail and engagement with themes of freedom, ambition, and the tides of colonial power struggles, follows Morgan from his ignominious beginnings as an enslaved man in Barbados to his remarkable rise as the Lieutenant-Governor of Jamaica. Through the lens of Morgan’s capture of a Spanish ship, Tey demonstrates a deep understanding of the era’s social and political intricacies, making the novel an exemplary piece of historical fiction with a literary style that brings this perilous period of piracy and war vividly to life.

The author, known for rigorously researched historical narratives, seems to have drawn from a deep well of historical knowledge and fascination with the Caribbean colonial power dynamics. The portrayal of Henry Morgan is possibly reflective of a keen interest in the paradoxes of piracy—often deemed a lawless enterprise, yet in Morgan’s case, one that led to legal authority and respectability. Daviot’s background, potentially steeped in history and literature, positions him to construct a protagonist who is as complex as he is charismatic, bridging the gulf between outlaw and official with nuanced storytelling.

Josephine Tey wrote this novel under her pseudonym, Gordon Daviot. This was last book, a romantic novel based on the life of the privateer Henry Morgan.

Despre autor

Gordon Daviot, a pseudonym for Elizabeth Mac Kintosh (1896–1952), was a Scottish author renowned for her literary contributions in the early 20th century. Despite being more widely recognized under another nom de plume, Josephine Tey, for her mystery novels, Daviot delved into historical themes with works such as ‘The Privateer’ which illuminated the adventurous tales of real-life privateers. Her writing under Gordon Daviot often manifested a vivid portrayal of the past, intertwining historical facts with dramatic flair. Her literary style under this pseudonym diverged from her detective fiction, instead embracing a more narrative-driven historical fiction that captured the intricacies and moralities of another time. ‘The Privateer’ stands as a testament to her versatility and depth as an author, showcasing her ability to craft compelling stories across genres. While her work as Josephine Tey brought her mainstream acclaim, particularly for her novel ‘The Daughter of Time’, her writing as Gordon Daviot contributed a valuable perspective to the historical niche within the literary panorama of her era.