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Patronage and the Pariah of C aptain C ook's Third Voyage: C aptain J ohn W illiamson, Sir W illiam J ones and the D uchess of D evonshire
Author(s) -
Bertelsen Lance
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal for eighteenth‐century studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.129
H-Index - 11
eISSN - 1754-0208
pISSN - 1754-0194
DOI - 10.1111/1754-0208.12136
Subject(s) - pariah group , biography , character (mathematics) , theology , philosophy , art , literature , law , political science , politics , geometry , mathematics
The most perplexing character in the historical drama known as the ‘ D eath of C aptain C ook’ is L ieutenant J ohn W illiamson. Reviled by contemporaries for failing to come to C ook's aid at K ealakekua B ay, he was inexplicably promoted and given command upon his return to B ritain, a mystery that has led to scholarly accusations of a cover‐up at both shipboard and Admiralty levels. In uncovering patterns of command and patronage that affected W illiamson's later career, this article explores the workings of interest in the R oyal N avy, expands W illiamson's biography and offers new insights into his role in C ook's death.