William Dampier ( 1651 - 1751)

Born in Somerset, England, became renowned as a seaman and author.

His maritime career included voyages in the Pacific and South Seas, where he explored the Philippines, Australia’s west and north coasts, and engaged in trading across Southeast Asia. His writings, first published in 1697 and 1699, established him as an authority on the South Seas, leading the Admiralty to seek his advice on naval exploration. In 1699, he commanded an expedition on H.M.S. Roebuck, discovering Shark Bay and sighting New Britain. Despite his literary fame, Dampier faced challenges in leadership, as evidenced by a 1702 court martial declaring him unfit to command. Subsequent privateering expeditions and a global voyage from 1708 to 1711 under Captain Woodes Rogers followed. Dampier’s detailed and factual descriptions in his works influenced travel literature and navigational science. He passed away in London in 1715, leaving a legacy that indirectly contributed to the exploration and settlement of eastern Australia.