Dr. Cook and the Yahgan Dictionary (Polar Priorities Special Supplement)

Dr. Frederick Cook served as surgeon for Adrien de Gerlache’s Belgian Antarctic Expedition (1897-99). Prior to the expedition reaching Antarctica it stopped in Tierra del Fuego where Cook met Rev. Thomas Bridges. Bridges had spent 25 years among the Onas and Yahgans, two tribes of Tierra del Fuego, and had developed a 30,000 word grammar and dictionary manuscript of the Yahgans. On its return from Antarctica the expedition again stopped in Tierra del Fuego where Cook met Bridges son. Cook borrowed the manuscript and allegedly tried to have it published under his own name. Bryce’s work here provides an examination of the charges against Cook concerning the dictionary.