Matthew Flinders: Personal Letters from an Extraordinary Life

This wonderful collection of letters chronicles the extraordinary life of Flinders, and is designed to give an insight into his fascinating career. In just twenty-three years, from 1791 to his death at the age of forty in 1814, Flinders served under William Bligh on the famous breadfruit expedition to Jamaica, fought a celebrated battle against the French, discovered Bass Strait and charted Tasmania, circumnavigated the Australian continent, and wrote one of the legendary books of exploration. This beautifully illustrated publication offers over one hundred of Flinders’ letters, documenting his life’s great achievements. It includes highlights such as the historically significant letter to Sir Joseph Banks, volunteering for the formidable task of completing the discovery of New Holland, and a recently discovered letter from Flinders to George Bass, which throws new light on their intimate relationship.