Focusing on the role of the individual in the periphery of the Empire, this volume illuminates John Galbraith's thesis that events on the periphery of the British Empire led the man on the spot to expand the area of British control. The man on the spot was a factor in imperial expansion as much as, or sometimes more than, imperial or company policy, which often opposed control of further territory because of the expense. The Empire continued to expand in spite of official policy because of individuals and events on the periphery. Along these lines, this contributed volume provides studies of the periphery of Empire, whether in Africa, Canada, Malaya, China, or India.

The volume opens with three chapters dealing with aspects of the overarching subject of imperialism and imperial expansion. The opening section is then followed by sections on Africa, Canada, India, and Southeast and East Asia. In the concluding bibliographical essay, the man on the spot thesis is placed in context within the historiography of British Empire Studies.