Hook, Charles

In 1810, Robert Campbell, head of the Sydney merchant and shipping firm of Campbell and Co. was absent on a protracted visit to England and left Charles Hook in charge of the firm's interests in Australia. Hook, who was married to the sister of Robert Campbell's wife, was a recent arrival from India, where he had been a clerk and junior partner in the firm of Campbell's & Hook. His letter-book, kept between 14 May 1810 and 14 March 1815, contains a letter, dated 23 October 1810, reporting the discovery of Macquarie Island during the New South Wales sealing voyage (from Port Jackson [Sydney]), 1810 (leader Frederick Hasselburg).

From the guide to the Charles Hook collection, 1810-1815, (Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge)