Robert Jacob Gordon explorer, artist and naturalist of South Africa

Robert Jacob Gordon (Doesburg, 29 September 1743 – Cape Town, 25 October 1795) was a Dutch explorer, soldier, artist, naturalist and linguist of Scottish descent.

Life

Gordon was the son of Johanna Maria Heijdenrijck, who was herself the daughter of Menso Heijdenrijck (the celebrated minister in the Dutch Reformed Church), and Major General Jacob Gordon of the Scottish Brigade (1572-1782), part of the Dutch army . Although of Scottish descent, Robert Gordon was loyal to the Netherlands. He joined the Dutch Light Dragoons as a cadet in 1753 and enrolled at the University of Harderwijk as a humanities student in 1759. Gordon had a wide range of interests and proved to have exceptional intelligence. He first served in the Scottish Brigade and then joined the Dutch East India Company, where he rose to the rank of colonel.

From 1780 to 1795, Gordon was commander of the Cape Colony. He lived in a mansion known as Schoonder Sigt. He went on more expeditions than any other 18th century explorer in southern Africa. Of the six voyages he undertook, four (between 1777 and 1786) are described in the journals that were rediscovered in 1964. He was responsible for the naming of the Orange River, the introduction of the Merino sheep into the Cape Colony and for the discovery of the remains of the Padrão that Bartolomeu Dias had placed near Kwaaihoek. In addition to French, Dutch and English, he also spoke Hottentot and Xhosa.

First voyage (1773-1774)

During 1772-1773 Gordon visited the Cape Colony, where he met Carl Peter Thunberg and Francis Masson. The three of them went on a hike and explored the mountains between Cape Town and False Bay. In addition to this journey, Gordon undertook another long journey during this period. However, little is known about this.

Second voyage (1777-1778)

In 1777 he returned to the Cape with the rank of captain. Together with William Paterson, a botanist and collector who had to return quickly due to illness, and Johannes Schumacher/Schoemaker, an artist, he left for Swellendam on October 6, 1777. From there he traveled via Plattekloof to Beervlei and then to present-day Aberdeen. He continued along the Snow Mountains to a point just west of Colesberg. He returned to the Snow Mountains via the same route, and then headed southeast to Cookhouse. From there he made several trips to meet Xhosa chiefs. One of Gordon's goals on this journey was to reach the Gariep or Great River by moving north: through the valleys of the Great Vis River, Tarka River and Vlekpoort Rivers to the confluence of the Gariep with the Caledon.

Third voyage (1778)

In September and October, Gordon, accompanied by Governor Van Plettenberg, undertook a third voyage to the northeastern borders of the Cape Colony.

Gordon’s Drawings of Flora and Fauna

In addition to his explorations, Gordon was a skilled artist and naturalist, meticulously documenting the landscapes, people, animals, and plants he encountered. His drawings provide valuable insight into the biodiversity of 18th-century southern Africa. He made detailed illustrations of indigenous flora and fauna, including large mammals such as elephants, rhinoceroses, and antelopes, as well as birds and reptiles. His botanical sketches captured the unique plant species of the region, many of which were previously unknown to European science.



Gordon’s artistic documentation was not just for aesthetic purposes; his drawings served as scientific records that contributed to European understanding of Africa’s natural world. His work complemented the efforts of contemporary naturalists like Carl Peter Thunberg and Francis Masson, who collected plant specimens while Gordon provided visual depictions.

Today, Gordon’s sketches and watercolors are considered important historical artifacts, housed in various European archives. They offer a rare glimpse into the environment and wildlife of southern Africa before significant European settlement and ecological changes.