[COOK (Capt. James)] &
[WELLESLEY (Richard Colley).]
Primitiae et reliquiae.
WITH THE EUOLOGY ON THE DEATH OF COOK
The inscription reads: “T. Gainsford Presented by Dr Wellesley Durham April 17, 1843.” Thomas Gainsford (1789-1855) was Curator of the Bodleian Library, Regius Professor of Greek at Oxford, and Dean of Christ Church.
This work is best known for its inclusion of the early eulogy on the death of Captain James Cook - “In Obitum Viri Eximii et Celeberrimi Navigatoris Jacobi Cook” - which Wellesley composed in July, 1780. while studying at Oxford. The explanatory footnote in English clarifies the early date of its composition, specifically: “When this Poem was written, the particular circumstances of Captain Cook’s death, especially his having fallen in the act of checking his crew, who were preparing to fire on the Natives of Owhyhee … wee unknown in Europe; otherwise they would have furnished ample materials for the conclusion of the Poem.”
The work was well-received and won the Chancellor’s prize for Latin verse. Wellesley was the brother of the Duke of York. The death of their father in 1781 prevented Richard from completing his studies.
Allibone p.2638; Beddie 2477; cf. Martin p.489 (1840 edition); not in Forbes.
