I, François B.: Merchant, Protestant and refugee—a tale of failure in the Atlantic world

摘要

Relating mercantile failure is harder and less commonly attempted than describing success. This article outlines the story of a mercantile failure in the French Atlantic World at the age of Revolution, examining closely the text and context of an autobiographical account by François Belon. Belon was a man of modest means who used his contacts, linguistic skills, kin links and religious connections to try and obtain a modest competence in the world of Atlantic commerce. Belon's middling position was always uncertain. The story of his attempted ascent and then decline illuminates the risks of a potentially lucrative Atlantic trade and offers a useful counterpoint that demonstrates the conditions that were, by contrast, necessary for success.