Case 9
- Cook’s First Voyage 1
Sydney Parkinson. A Journal of a Voyage to the South Seas in His Majesty's Ship the Endeavour. London: Printed for Stanfield Parkinson, 1773.
Artist and draftsman Sydney Parkinson (1745?–71) died of dysentery on Cook’s first voyage, on board the HMS Endeavour, one month after leaving Batavia (now Jakarta) in the East Indies.
Parkinson’s journal of the voyage was published posthumously by his brother Stanfield Parkinson, after a public fracas with Sir Joseph Banks (1743–1820), Sydney’s employer, over the ownership of Sydney’s papers. John Hawkesworth took out an injunction against the publication of Parkinson’s journal, so that his own official record of the voyages to the South Seas could be published first. Hawkesworth also cut Parkinson’s name from his narrative and did not give the artist credit for his botanical illustrations.
Sydney Parkinson. A Journal of a Voyage to the South Seas in His Majesty's Ship the Endeavour. London: Printed for Stanfield Parkinson, 1773.
Open image in new window
Andrew Kippis. The Life of Captain James Cook. London: Printed for G. Nicol ... and G.G.J. and J. Robinson ..., 1788.
Andrew Kippis (1725–95) was minister to a Presbyterian congregation in Westminster from 1753 until his death in 1795. He was a prolific writer for magazines such as Gentleman’s Magazine and Monthly Review. Kippis also produced several biographies and was regarded by some as the leading biographer of his day; he even advised James Boswell (1740–95) of the difficulties involved in writing biographies.
Kippis was the first to write a full biography of Captain James Cook (1728–79). He included Cook’s early life, as well as details of his three voyages (1768–71, 1772–75, 1776–79). Kippis made use of the official accounts of the voyages and was given assistance by Lord Howe, the Earl of Sandwich (both 1st Lords of the Admiralty), Sir Joseph Banks and Cook’s widow, Elizabeth, amongst others. Kippis was honoured by being made fellow of the Royal Society in 1779 and of the Society of Antiquaries in 1788.
Andrew Kippis. The Life of Captain James Cook. London: Printed for G. Nicol ... and G.G.J. and J. Robinson ..., 1788.
Open image in new window
