About this Event
Matthew Flinders’ 1801–1803 circumnavigation of Australia in H.M.S. Investigator has become a fabled narrative. Much less well-known are the achievements of Matthew’s youngest brother, Samuel Ward Flinders, whose skills in obtaining astronomical measurements to determine the expedition’s geographic longitudes were remarkable.
This book consolidates the widely scattered literature about Samuel’s life and achievements into the astronomer’s first modern biography. Samuel had to bear his own share of misfortunes and injustices, but they are balanced by his significant contribution to the scientific achievements of the voyage of the Investigator. This book contains a conclusive assessment as to whether his bad reputation is warranted by the historic record. This book will appeal to both academics and general audiences.
This book is accompanied by over 70 pages of online appendices (hosted under the Support Material tab on the Routledge website) including glossaries of key people, ships, nautical terms, and Indigenous place names. These downloadable resources also include further information on the H.M. Ship Reliance, eyewitness accounts, and Samuel Flinders’ court martial.
Presents the well-known story of Matthew Flinders’ 1801–1803 Australian circumnavigation told from a different, less obvious perspective; Explores the 18th/19th century’s British–French rivalry half a world from home; The first comprehensive biography of a largely overlooked major personality in the early exploration and colonisation by the British Empire.
About the Author
Richard is an acclaimed academic and prolific public speaker. Born and raised in the Netherlands, his successful career in astrophysics has allowed him to enjoy vibrant research environments at the University of Virginia (USA), the Universities of Cambridge and Sheffield (UK) and Peking University (China). Richard joined Macquarie University in 2018 as Associate Dean (International) and Professor of Astrophysics. He received the 2012 Selby Award for excellence in science from the Australian Academy of Science, a 2017 Erskine Award from the University of Canterbury (New Zealand) and a 2017 Jan Michalski Award from the Michalski Foundation (Switzerland). He is a volunteer guide, consultant and speaker for the Australian National Maritime Museum. Richard has recently been exploring New South Wales convict histories, for which he was awarded the 2022 Blacktown Mayoral History Prize.
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Event venue & nearby stays
The Theatre, Australian National Maritime Museum, 2 Murray Street, Sydney, Australia
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