Matthew Flinders

Matthew Flinders
Matthew Flinders (1774–1814) was a British navigator, cartographer, and writer best known for circumnavigating and mapping the coastline of Australia. His detailed work, particularly the book "A Voyage to Terra Australis" (1814), helped define Australia's geography and promoted its recognition as a continent. Flinders also introduced the name "Australia" to describe the landmass, which was later officially adopted. Despite facing hardships, including imprisonment by the French in Mauritius, his contributions to exploration remain highly significant.

Author's Books:


PREFACE. The publication in 1814 of a voyage commenced in 1801, and of which all the essential parts were concluded within three years, requires some explanation. Shipwreck and a long imprisonment prevented my arrival in England until the latter end of 1810; much had then been done to forward the account, and the charts in particular were nearly prepared for the engraver; but it was desirable that the... more...

CHAPTER I. Departure from Port Jackson, with the Lady Nelson.Examination of various parts of the East Coast, from thence to Sandy Cape.Break-sea Spit.Anchorage in Hervey's Bay, where the Lady Nelson joins after a separation.Some account of the inhabitants.Variations of the compass.Run to Bustard Bay.Port Curtis discovered, and examined.Some account of the surrounding country.Arrival in Keppel Bay,... more...