The Death of Captain Cook and Other Writings by David Samwell - Hardcover

Nicholas Thomas; Martin Fitzpatrick; Jenny Newell

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0708319688 ISBN 13: 9780708319680

Publisher: University of Wales Press, 2007

Synopsis

This fascinating and important original account of Captain Cook's last voyage and death tells the story of the writer, the Welsh surgeon David Samwell, who was one of the most important members of Cook's crew. The book will make Samwell's "Death of Captain James Cook" available for the first time, presenting it with previously unpublished letters relating to Cook's third voyage, and his poetry. The introductory essays assess Samwell's contribution to our understanding of this dramatic period in Pacific maritime history, and also analyses the wider dimensions concerning Samwell's personality and career. The work will enable readers to engage with the primary sources concerning cross-cultural encounters in the Pacific and to gain a fuller understanding of the radical, antiquarian, Welsh and British literary culture of the late eighteenth century.

About this title

Review:

"The work of Martin Fitzpatrick and Nicholas Thomas is widely respected in the academic community. Both are distinguished senior scholars, and both have produced work of the highest quality. Readers familiar with their previous publications will not be disappointed with The Death of Captain Cook." --Dr Andrew Hassam, Director of Australian Studies Program, National Centre for Australian Studies, Australia

The Death of Captain Cook and other Writings by David Samwell is a wonderful addition to the scholarship on James Cook s voyages. This book is a marvelous compilation of scholarly reflections and original materials relating to David Samwell, and the product of a rewarding collaboration between the authors. I commend it warmly to all those interested in Captain Cook, his shipmates, and their adventures in the Pacific. --Anne Salmond, Journal of Pacific History

About the Author:

Prof. Nicholas Thomas is Director of the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Cambridge. Dr. Martin Fitzpatrick is former Senior Lecturer at Dept. of History and Welsh History, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and has published widely on eighteenth century literature. Jenny Newell is Assistant Curator, pacific and Australian Collection, Dept. of Ethnography, British Museum and has contributed to a number of publications on eighteenth century travel/exploration.

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Wales Press
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0708319688
• ISBN 13: 9780708319680
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 180