George Cartwright

George Cartwright (12 February 1739/40 – 19 May 1819) was an English army officer and a trader and explorer in Newfoundland Colony. His name is borne by Cartwright, a settlement at the entrance to Sandwich Bay.

Early life and family George Cartwright was born at Marnham in Nottinghamshire. He was the second son of William Cartwright and his wife Anne of Marnham Hall. He was an elder brother of Edmund Cartwright, clergyman and inventor of the power loom, and of John Cartwright, naval officer and English parliamentary reformer.

Army career Cartwright became a gentleman cadet in the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich, London, when he was fifteen. He served in India as ensign in the 39th Foot. In 1759, he was promoted lieutenant while in Ireland. In 1760 he was aide-de-camp to the Marquess of Granby in Germany and a staff officer under Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick. He was brevetted captain in 1762, returned to England and went on half pay from 1762 to 1766. In 1766, Cartwright was commissioned Captain in the 37th Foot, and went to Minorca during 1766 and 1767.

Voyages to Newfoundland and Labrador George Cartwright's brother John Cartwright was first lieutenant on HMS Guernsey. In the 1766 season, George Cartwright cruised the Newfoundland coast on this vessel with his brother.

In 1768, George Cartwright went to Newfoundland again and accompanied John Cartwright's voyage attempting to contact the Beothuk people on the Exploits River.

Between 1770 and 1786, Cartwright occupied a number of fishing and furring stations from Cape St Charles to Sandwich Bay and developed connections with the Inuit and Innu people there. His financial successes was mixed at best, and his many setbacks included being thoroughly raided by American privateers in 1778.

In 1772, Cartwright brought five Inuit individuals from what was then called Labrador. However, it is ambiguous to whether or not this was done forcefully or in collaboration with the chosen individuals. Travelling on this ship to England was Atajug, his youngest wife Ikkanguaq and their toddler daughter Ikiunaq. Joining Atajug's family was Atajug's younger brother Tuglavingaaq and his wife Qavvik, also known as Caubvick. They travelled with Cartwright to Ireland and England, where they were a sensation, drawing the attention of King George III, Joseph Banks, John Hunter, James Boswell, Samuel Johnson, and great crowds. Similar to other Indigenous travellers to London in the past, this Inuit family was "subjected to the spectacle of Georgian London". He had an unparalleled love for Labrador until his death – as is shown, for example, in his lengthy and somewhat tedious piece of verse, of which this is a small extract: Fish, Fowl and Ven’son now our tables grace: Roast Beaver too, and ev’ry Beast of Chase. Luxurious living this! who'd wish for more? Were Quin alive, he'd haste to Labrador!

At Cartwright, Labrador, there is a substantial monument commemorating him and his brother John. Part of the inscription reads: "In Memory of George Cartwright, Captain in his Majesty's 37th Regiment of Foot ... who in March 1770 made a settlement on the coast of Labrador ... also of John Cartwright, Lieutenant of the Guernsey ...".