THAT GREAT LUCIFER BY MARGARET IRWIN

That Great Lucifer by Margaret Irwin (Published by Chatto & Windus, 320 Pages, 1960 First Edition)

That Great Lucifer is a fascinating biography of Sir Walter Raleigh, a man of extraordinary ambition, wit, and daring who rose to prominence in the court of Queen Elizabeth I. Margaret Irwin brings to life the glory and treachery of the Elizabethan era, portraying Raleigh as a visionary explorer, poet, and statesman, yet one who ultimately fell victim to rivalries, shifting loyalties, and royal politics.

Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Irwin reconstructs Raleigh’s dramatic rise to power, his legendary expeditions to the New World, his courtly romance, and his tragic downfall under King James I. This book is an essential read for anyone interested in Elizabethan history, British exploration, and the intrigue of the Tudor and Stuart courts.

• A biographical account of Sir Walter Raleigh, one of the most charismatic and controversial figures of Elizabethan England.
• Explores Raleigh’s adventurous life as an explorer, courtier, poet, and soldier.
• Details his close relationship with Queen Elizabeth I and his eventual fall from grace.
• Captures the political intrigue, ambition, and betrayal of the Elizabethan and Jacobean courts.
• Written with historical accuracy and a compelling narrative style.