One of early Enlightenment Spain's most important scholars, Andres Gonzalez de Barcia (1673-1743) produced more than two dozen critical editions of some of Spain's most significant works on the New World, many of which were already rare when he published them. In this highly original new book, Jonathan E. Carlyon traces Gonz?lez de Barcia's work as editor, bibliographer, and author, focusing on his program of scholarly republication that resulted in the creation of the first comprehensive colonial Spanish American library.

Gonz?lez de Barcia established his collection to provide the...