star trek - Is James T. Kirk known to be based on Horatio Hornblower?

Kirk is known to be based on Horatio Hornblower. (from a recent answer on SFF.SE)

Is there some reference showing that ("based on") to be an actual fact as opposed to inference?

I'm not asking for comparison of characters (as is loosely covered on Memory Alpha's Hornblower page) which is merely circumstantial and doesn't prove "based on". Similarities between the two could be as easily explained by archetypes as by intentional homage.

What I'm seeking is information originating from Roddenberry, or someone else on Star Trek creative team, indicating that there was intent for Kirk's character to resemble Hornblower, or specific influence of those books on creative team.

Answer

The original pitch for Star Trek can be found here.

Roddenberry describes the Captain of the S.S Yorktown (who was at that point named "Robert April") as a;

"Space-age Captain Horatio Hornblower, lean and capable both mentally and physically.

A colorfully complex personality, he is capable or action and decision which can verge on the heroic — and at the same time lives a continual battle with self-doubt and the loneliness of command

As with similar men in the past (Drake, Cook, Bougainville and Scott), his primary weakness is a predilection to action over administration, a temptation to take the greatest risks onto himself. But, unlike most early explorers, he has an almost compulsive compassion for the plight of others, alien as well as human and must continually fight the temptation to risk many to save one"

Obviously April became Kirk in the same way that the Yorktown became the Enterprise.

Comments

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