Matthew Flinders

A Select Bibliography

This bibliography will permit users to explore the career of Matthew Flinders.

It offers access to original sources both in Australia and overseas, historical interpretations of his life and career, children's literature, literary treatments, exhibitions, and videos and sound recordings.

Some hyperlinks are to subscription services available in the NMA Library. Readers at NMA can access them directly by clicking on the link. External readers can only do this if their institution also has a subscription to the relevant service.

Contents

Source Documents
Exhibitions
Journal Articles and Substantial Monographs
Juvenile Literature, Popular Treatments, and Book Excerpts
Literary Treatment
Nonbook Material

Source Documents

Austin, KA Matthew Flinders, on the Victorian Coast, April-May 1802: Select Documents Arranged with Introduction and Notes by K.A. Austin, (Melbourne: Cypress Books, 1974), 64p. [NMA 919.45042 MAT and EDWARDS 919.45042 MAT]

Brown, D and PRC Ashley, 'Matthew Flinders: Private Journal', Mariners Mirror v.92 (3), 2006, pp.363.

Brown, A, 'Encounter 1802: The Narratives of Matthew Flinders, Nicolas Baudin and the Naturalist Robert Brown (Edited with an Introduction and Notes)', South Australian Geographical Journal v.99 2000, pp.3-9      Extracts from three narratives of the meeting between Flinders and Baudin on the 8th and 9th April 1802 are provided with a brief commentary by way of possible explanation of apparent discrepancies between the Fair Log Book of the Investigator, the Journal of Captain Baudin and the Diary and Memorandum of Robert Brown.

Brown, A, 'Encounter 1802: The Narratives of Matthew Flinders, Nicolas Baudin and the Naturalist Robert Brown (Edited with an Introduction and Notes).', South Australian Geographical Journal v.99 (2000), 2000, pp.3-9. <http://search.informit.com.au/fullText;res=APAFT;dn=200117161>.

Brown, R and others, Nature's Investigator: The Diary of Robert Brown in Australia, 1801-1805, (Canberra: Australian Biological Resources Study, 2001), 666 pp. [NMA 919.4042 BRO]

Darby, M, 'Bligh's Disciple: Matthew Flinders's Journals of HMS Providence (1791-3)', Mariners Mirror v.4 86 2000, pp.401-411.

Flinders, M and A Macarthur-Onslow, A Biographical Tribute to the Memory of Trim, (Pymble, N.S.W.: Angus & Robertson, 1997), 51 pp.[NMA 828.103 FLI and EDWARDS 828.103 FLI]

Flinders, M The Flinders Papers: Letters and Documents about the Explorer Matthew Flinders (1774-1814),
      The Flinders papers contains transcripts of over 150 documents about Flinders's life and work. Many are love letters from Flinders to his wife Ann, some written while imprisoned on Mauritius. There are also letters to and from Sir Joseph Banks and the explorer Sir John Franklin. Other documents include journal entries, legal and naval papers, receipts and inscriptions. Most are digitised. http://www.nmm.ac.uk/flinders/Index.cfm

Flinders, M, A Voyage to Terra Australis, Facsim. limited edn, (Netley, S. Aust.: South Australian Government Printer, 1989), 2 v pp. [NMA RARE 919.4042 FLI]

Flinders, M, Mitchell and Dixson Libraries Manuscripts Collection, State Library of New South Wales,
      This web site lists the Flinders resources held at the State Library of New South Wales, and some other places. Many are in microform, and some are online. Many are available through the Matthew Flinders Electronic Archive.http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/flinders/archive.html

Flinders, M and Libraries Board of South Australia, A Voyage to Terra Australis: Undertaken for the Purpose of Completing the Discovery of that Vast Country, and Prosecuted in the Years 1801, 1802 and 1803, in His Majesty's Ship the Investigator, and Subsequently in the Armed Vessel Porpoise and Cumberland Schooner : With an Account of the Shipwreck of the Porpoise, Arrival of the Cumberland at Mauritius, and Imprisonment of the Commander during Six Years and a Half in that Island, (Adelaide: Libraries Board of South Australia, 1966), 2 v pp.[NMA RARE 919.4 FLI]

Flinders, M, 'Concerning the Differences in the Magnetic Needle, on Board the Investigator, Arising from an Alteration in the Direction of the Ship's Head', Abstracts of the Papers Printed in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (1800-1843) v.1 28 March 1805, pp.187-188.

Flinders, M, 'Concerning the Differences in the Magnetic Needle, on Board the Investigator, Arising from an Alteration in the Direction of the Ship's Head', Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (1776-1886) v.95 28 March 1805, pp.186-197.

Flinders, M, 'Observations upon the Marine Barometer, made during the Examination of the Coasts of New Holland and New South Wales, in the Years 1801, 1802, and 1803', Abstracts of the Papers Printed in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (1800-1843) v.1 27 March 1806, pp.230-232.

Flinders, M, 'Observations upon the Marine Barometer, made during the Examination of the Coasts of New Holland and New South Wales, in the Years 1801, 1802, and 1803', Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (1776-1886) v.96 27 March 1806, pp.239-266.

Flinders, M, 'Narrative of an Expedition to Furneauxs Islands on the Coast of New South Wales, in the Port Jackson Colonial Schooner Francis. by Mattw Flinders, 2 Lieutenant of H.M.S. Reliance, March 1798', La Trobe Library Journal (13), 1974, pp.4-13.

Flinders, M, 'Three Letters from Matthew Flinders 1. Letter to Ann Flinders, Partney, [from] Isle of France [Mauritius], 7 July 1805. 2. Letter to Mrs Elizabeth Flinders, Donington, [from] Wilhems Plains in the Isle of France, 13 Apr 1806. 3. Letter to Captain Farquharson Stuart, Foley Place, [from] Upper Fitzroy Street [London], 11 Sept 1813', La Trobe Library Journal (13), 1974, pp.1-3.

Flinders, M, Banks Papers, (Sydney: State Library of New South Wales, Various) <http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/>
      The Banks Papers held in the State Library on New South Wales have numerous letters to and from Matthew Flinders. At http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/ enter Matthew Flinders in Find and select Banks Papers instead of This Site.

Flinders, M and others, Matthew Flinders Private Journal from 17 December 1803 at Isle De France to 10 July 1814 at London, (Adelaide: Friends of the State Library of South Australia, 2005), 566 pp. [NMA 910.92 FLI and RARE 910.92 FLI]
      Flinders begins his journal at the time of his landfall on Mauritius in December 1803, and the subsequent entries describe his six years of imprisonment by the French, his eventual return to England and the events of his later life up until nine days before his death in July 1814.

Flinders, M, P Brunton and State Library of New South Wales, Matthew Flinders: Personal Letters from an Extraordinary Life, (Sydney: Hordern House in association with the State Library of New South Wales, 2002), 262 pp. [NMA 994.02092 FLI and RARE 994.02902 FLI]

Flinders, M and J Currey, The Investigator in Port Phillip April-May 1802, (Malvern, [Vic.]: Banks Society Publications, 2002), 36 pp.

Flinders, M and TF Flannery, Terra Australis: Matthew Flinders' Great Adventures in the Circumnavigation of Australia, (Melbourne: Text Publishing, 2000), 268 pp. [NMA 994.02 FLI]

Flinders, M and G Mackaness, Observations on the Coasts of Van Diemen's Land, on Bass's Strait and its Islands and on Part of the Coasts of New South Wales, (Dubbo, N.S.W.: Review Publications, 1979), 57 pp. [NMA 994 AUS v.39]

Good, P, PI Edwards and British Museum (Natural History), The Journal of Peter Good: Gardener on Matthew Flinders Voyage to Terra Australia 1801-03, (London: British Museum (Natural History), 1981), 213 pp. [NMA 508.94022 GOO]

Great Britain.Navy Board and Admiralty, Accountant General's Department Registers of Allotments and Allotment Declarations, (Various) <http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATLN=6&CATID=3773711>
      Allotment registers recording the sending of wages to next of kin by warrant officers, ratings and Royal Marines from ships. National Archives Series ADM

Great Britain. Admiralty, Admiralty Ships' Musters (ADM. 36.) [Microform] : [PRO7005-7018] : Musters of Ships that Visited Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, 1739-1807, (Canberra: Australian Joint Copying Project, 1986)
      Each muster book lists the entire crew, date of entry, date of first appearance on the ship, previous ship or location, place of birth, age, name, rank, etc. of crew members. This microfilm reel includes the musters for HMS Investigator and HMS Porpoise. Available at the National Library of Australia Mfm PRO7005-7018

Hirst, W and P Scifleet, 'Voyaging with Matthew Flinders: The James Fairfax Matthew Flinders Electronic Archive', LASIE v.31 (1), 2000, pp.24-27.

Horner, F, 'The 'Missing' Third Journal of Flinders', Great Circle v.20 (2), 1998, pp.138-140. <http://search.informit.com.au/fullText;res=APAFT;dn=200101283>.

Macknight, CC, Low Head to Launceston: The Earliest Reports of Port Dalrymple and the Tamar River, (Launceston, Tas.: Historical Survey of Northern Tasmania, 1998), 114 pp. [NMA 994.650072 MAC]
      Presents original documents, with brief explanatory introduction and annotation, relating to four episodes in the discovery and exploration of Port Dalyrymple and the Tamar River between 1798 and 1804: Matthew Flinders and George Bass in the Norfolk - 1798, Louis Freycinet and Faure - 1802, William Collins, Thomas Clark and Robert Brown - 1804, William Paterson and Jacob Mountgarrett - 1804. Illustrated with charts by Flinders and Freycinet, and drawings by John Glover and Frederick Mackie.

'Matthew Flinders' Papers', La Trobe Journal (13), March 1974, pp.14-19. <http://calisto.slv.vic.gov.au/latrobejournal/issue/latrobe-13/t1-g-t4.html>
      This includes a listing of the papers held in the La Trobe Library. After Matthew Flinders’ death in 1814 his personal papers which included copies of his logbooks and journals, personal diary and letter-books in the possession of his wife and daughter, appear to have remained entire until 1877 when his daughter, Mrs. William Petrie, presented the ‘Narrative of an Expedition to Furneauxs Islands’, to the Public Library of Victoria. Before her death in 1892 the remaining papers were given to her son (later Professor Sir) William Matthew Flinders Petrie, (1853–1942) the noted egyptologist, who in 1880 presented his grandfather's copies of the Sydney Gazette to the Library. Subsequently he made copies and extracts of most of the papers for Mr. J. J. Shillinglaw of Melbourne who was collecting material for a book on Flinders. These Shillinglaw presented to the Library, the bulk of them being bound in the volume titled ‘Flinders Papers'. The second volume of Flinders’ ‘Public Letters and Orders', a letter to his wife, the ‘Appendix to the Abridged Narrative’ and Flinders’ copy letters written in 1808 were lent to Shillinglaw; all these items were ultimately presented to the Library on behalf of Flinders Petrie, who also presented some of the more important items relating to Flinders’ Australian explorations to the Mitchell Library in Sydney. These included the originals of the first two volumes of the Investigator logbooks (fair copies, probably written in Mauritius, were lodged with the Admiralty and are now in the Public Record Office), his Diary 1803–14, three volumes of Private Letterbooks, and a volume of Public Letters. The residue of the papers is now in the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich together with some of Mrs. Flinders’ papers and Flinders Petrie's papers and correspondence concerning his grandfather

Matthew Flinders Electronic Archive, http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/flinders/archive.html
      This archive reproduces many of Matthew Flinders' personal papers held in the Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales. These include the journals of his voyages in the sloop Norfolk, the first two volumes of the journal of HMS Investigator, his private journal, three volumes of private letters, his public letterbook, charts and personal memorabilia 27.

Perry, TM, '[various Articles on Records by Or Relating to Matthew Flinders, Held in the La Trobe Library]', La Trobe Library Journal (13), 1974, pp.20-22.

Picture Australia: Matthew Flinders, [2007], http://www.pictureaustralia.org/apps/pictureaustralia?term1=matthew+flinders&Submit=search&action=PASearch&attribute1=any+field&mode=advanced
      When accessed in November 2007, this link showed 173 photographs of items linked to Matthew Flinders, including cabin plate from the Investigator, his hat and sword, portraits, commemorative plates, steam engines, and numerous other items.

Rawson, G. and J. B. Wright eds. Matthew Flinders' Narrative of His Voyage in the Schooner Francis, 1798: Preceded and Followed by Notes on Flinders, Bass, the Wreck of the Sidney Cove, &c. (London: Golden Cockerel Press, 1946) , 100
      Copied from the original manuscript in the Public Library of Victoria which is entitled : Narrative of an expedition to Furneaux Islands on the coast of New South Wales, in the Port Jackson colonial schooner Francis / by Mattw. Flinders"Matthew Flinders' Narrative has been designed, produced, and published by Christopher Sandford at the Golden Cockerel Press, London, on Arnold's mould-made paper in 16 pt. Aldine 'Bembo" type, with 'Centaur' initials, designed by Bruce Rogers, and 'Lyons' capitals, designed by Louis Perrin, upon the model of Latin inscriptions, in 1846. Composition and presswork ... at the Chiswick Press, has been finished on the 30th day of October, 1946 ... The Edition is limited to 750 copies. Nos: 1-100 are bound in full green morocco" -- Colophon

Records of the Admiralty, Naval Forces, Royal Marines, Coastguard, and Related Bodies: Records of Accounting and Pay Departments: Navy Board: Navy Pay Office: Ships' Pay Books (Series III): Investigator 1800 July 1 - 1805 Dec 22 National Archive ADM 35, <http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=5058445&CATLN=6&Highlight=%2CINVESTIGATOR&accessmethod=0>.

Records of the Admiralty, Naval Forces, Royal Marines, Coastguard, and Related Bodies: Records of HM Ships: Admiralty: Captains' Logs: Captains' Logs: Details of Ships are Given at Item Level: Investigator 1805 Mar 20 - 1805 Dec 22 National Archives ADM 51/4065, <http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=-2129792&CATLN=7&Highlight=%2CINVESTIGATOR&accessmethod=0>.

Records of the Admiralty, Naval Forces, Royal Marines, Coastguard, and Related Bodies: Records of HM Ships: Admiralty: Supplementary Logs and Journals of Ships on Exploration National Archives ADM 55/74-78,
      Log kept by R Fowler. Mauritius, Australia; Journal kept by Captain Matthew Flinders. Mauritius, Australia; Journal kept by Captain Matthew Flinders: Mauritius, Australia; Supplementary logs and journals of ships (INVESTIGATOR) on exploration; INVESTIGATOR: Log kept by Robt Fowler; INVESTIGATOR: Log kept by [M Flinders]; INVESTIGATOR: Journal kept by M Flinders (whilst a prisoner in the Isle de France) see ADM 7/707 & 708

Records of the Admiralty, Naval Forces, Royal Marines, Coastguard, and Related Bodies: Records of Service; Admiralty: Royal Navy Ships' Musters (Series I): Investigator (a) 1801 Jan - 1803 Jul (b) 1805 Mar - Dec National Archives ADM 36, <http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=5356957&CATLN=6&Highlight=%2CINVESTIGATOR&accessmethod=0>
      Log kept by R Fowler. Mauritius, Australia; Journal kept by Captain Matthew Flinders. Mauritius, Australia; Journal kept by Captain Matthew Flinders: Mauritius, Australia; Supplementary logs and journals of ships (INVESTIGATOR) on exploration; INVESTIGATOR: Log kept by Robt Fowler; INVESTIGATOR: Log kept by [M Flinders]; INVESTIGATOR: Journal kept by M Flinders (whilst a prisoner in the Isle de France) see ADM 7/707 & 708

Records of the Royal Greenwich Observatory: Board of Longitude: Papers, <http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATLN=6&CATID=3773711>
      Log book of HMS Investigator with observations and computations. It includes a journal of the the voyage of HMS Investigator, 1801-1805, and a memoir explaining the construction of the charts of Australia, with remarks on the observations for latitude, longitude and variation made on board HMS Investigator in the years 1801, 1802 and 1803 by Capt M Flinders

Samuels, B, 'South Australian Relics, Memorials and Other Commemorations in Matthew Flinders' and Nicolas Baudin's Expeditions', South Australian Geographical Journal v.99 2000, pp.48-51.SCOPUS [accessed 3 December 2007]
      An annotated list is provided of relics, memorials and other commemorations in South Australia honouring the expeditions of Nicolas Baudin and Matthew Flinders.

Samuels, B, 'South Australian Relics, Memorials and Other Commemorations in Matthew Flinders' and Nicolas Baudin's Expeditions', South Australian Geographical Journal v.99 2000, pp.48-51. <http://search.informit.com.au/fullText;res=APAFT;dn=200117167>.

Sitters, V, 'The Voyages of Discovery of Matthew Flinders and Nicolas Baudin in Australian Waters, 1801-1803: Material Held in the Library of the Royal Geographical Society of South Australia Inc. April 2000', South Australian Geographical Journal v.99 2000, pp.52-66. <http://search.informit.com.au/fullText;res=APAFT;dn=200117168>.

Smith, S and P Monteath, Sailing with Flinders: The Journal of Seaman Samuel Smith, (Nth. Adelaide, S. Aust.: Corkwood Press, 2002), 86 pp. [NMA 994.02092 SMI]

Stearn, WT and F Bauer, The Australian Flower Paintings of Ferdinand Bauer, (London: Basilisk Press, 1976), 30 pp. [NMA RARE E 582.130994 STE]

Stubbs, BJ, 'The Investigator Tree: Eighteenth Century Inscriptions, Or Twentieth Century Misinterpretations?', Journal of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland v.16 (3), Aug 1996, pp.93-107      In 1841, John Lort Stokes, commanding HMS Beagle, was exploring Australia's northern coastline, and in July he arrived at the small island in the Gulf of Carpentaria which Matthew Flinders, nearly forty years before, had named Sweers. On the western side of this island Stokes discovered a tree with the name of Flinders' ship, the Investigator, carved along the trunk in large letters. This tree later became known, in consequence of its historic inscription, as the Investigator Tree, and in 1889 became the property of the Queensland Museum. Besides the many inscriptions which were added to the tree after the visit of Flinders in 1802, many published articles and books have expressed the intriguing idea that the tree also carried inscriptions of Dutch and Chinese origin, predating Flinders' visit. However, analysis of the records spanning well over a century has failed to reveal any credible evidence for any inscription older than the first Investigator in 1802. (Au, AM)

Westall, W ed. William Westall: On Flinders Circumnavigation of Australia [Part of Travellers Art: An Exhibition of Rare Late Eighteenth, Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Century Drawings, Watercolours, Sketchbooks, Diaries, Hand Drawn Maps, Manuscripts and Photographs, all of which were made while Travelling], (Canberra: National Library of Australia, 12 June - 21 September 2003) <http://www.nla.gov.au/exhibitions/travellersart/the_exhibition.html>
      William Westall was a 19-year-old student at the Royal Academy in London, when he was selected by Sir Joseph Banks in 1801 as the landscape and figure painter on Matthew Flinders’ Investigator expedition to explore the coastline of New Holland. Westall was by nature a conservative and somewhat reticent character who, despite being bored and frustrated by the long sea journey, completed geographical drawings and, occasionally, more finished watercolours that are the first and most accurate landscapes of this country. Their extraordinarily high artistic standards are most apparent in his beautiful portraits of Aboriginal people and the luminous watercolours of their cave paintings, the first such depictions by a European artist. These works chart the progress of Flinders’ circumnavigation from King George’s Sound in Western Australia, across the Great Australian Bight to the South Australian gulf country, to Kangaroo Island, and thence to Port Jackson and the Gulf of Carpentaria. The final drawing Westall made of the journey, View of Wreck Reef Bank Taken at Low Water: Terra Australis 1803, marks the end of Flinders’ ambitious expedition, and is a graphic example of the hazards faced by early travelling artists. It is something of a miracle that any of Westall’s works survived, let alone the 160 drawings that now form the National Library’s pre-eminent collection.

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Exhibitions

Archer, K, 'Mapping Terra Incognita', Lancet v.358 (9299), , pp.2180(2)      Reviews the exhibition, 'Matthew Flinders: the Ultimate Voyage,' at the State Library of New South Wales in Sydney, which is showing until January 13, 2002, and then touring throughout Australia.

Art Gallery of South Australia and Adelaide Festival of Arts, The Art Gallery of South Australia Festival Exhibitions 1974, (Adelaide: [Art Gallery of South Australia], 1974), 56 pp. [NMA EDWARDS 708.9942] ART]
      Sidney Nolan -- Art of the dreamtime -- The Australian aborigine portrayed in art -- Matthew Flinders Bicentenary exhibition 1774-1974 -- Graphic art of German expressionism.

Brunton, P and State Library of New South Wales, Matthew Flinders: The Ultimate Voyage, (Sydney: State Library of New South Wales, 2001), 34 pp. [NMA EDWARDS 994.020749441 BRU]

Dent, M, National Treasures from Australia's Great Libraries, (Canberra: National Library of Australia, 2005), 162 pp. [NMA 027.00749471 NAT]
      This catalogue was published on the occasion of the touring exhibition National Treasures from Australia's Great Libraries, which opened at the National Library of Australia on 2 December 2005. The Exhibition included Matthew Flinders (1774–1814) General Chart of Terra Australis or Australia: Showing the Parts Explored between 1798 and 1803 by M. Flinders Commr. of H.M.S. Investigator (London: G. & W. Nicol 1814) and Augustus Earle (1793–1838) Portrait of Bungaree, a Native of New South Wales, with Fort Macquarie, Sydney Harbour in Background c.1826. Both are in the National Library collection.

'Matthew Flinders Returns', Australian Artist v.20 (6), 2003, p.4      Focuses on the reopening of the art exhibition entitled "Matthew Flinders: The Ultimate Voyage" by the State Library of New South Wales. Feature of items that Flinders' used during his hazardous expeditions in the country; organizations collaborating with the art exhibit; Contact information.

Nicholls, C, 'Recovering Ann Flinders', Art & Australia v.2 40 2002, pp.340(2)      Discusses the exhibition 'The Lost Letters of Ann Chappelle Flinders,' held in Adelaide, South Australia in March and April 2002. Exhibition of historical materials and objects relating to the Flinders story; Showcasing of Flinders' watercolor paintings; Framing of the exhibition around the absence or non-existence of letters from Ann to Matthew Flinders.

Oceans Apart: The Story of Anne and Matthem Flinders,
      An exhibition at the National Maritime Museum 28 March 2002-24 November 2002. Separated only months after their marriage, it would be 10 years before Ann and Matthew Flinders were reunited and only for four short years. This exhibition of correspondence betweeen Ann and Matthew tells a story of isolation, desperation and love across oceans and time.

Voyages of Grand Discovery Western Australian Museum - Maritime 20 July - 18 November 2007, ([Perth]: Western Australian Museum, 2007) <http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/exhibitions/voyages/index.html>
      "This exhibition focuses on some of the great European voyages that helped to unravel the mysteries of the South Land or Terra Australis. Motivated by desires to expand their empires, to find new trading partners and commercial opportunities European maritime nations began searching for new sea routes to the East." The explorers included Matthew Flinders.

Westall, W ed. William Westall: On Flinders Circumnavigation of Australia [Part of Travellers Art: An Exhibition of Rare Late Eighteenth, Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Century Drawings, Watercolours, Sketchbooks, Diaries, Hand Drawn Maps, Manuscripts and Photographs, all of which were made while Travelling], (Canberra: National Library of Australia, 12 June - 21 September 2003) <http://www.nla.gov.au/exhibitions/travellersart/the_exhibition.html>
      William Westall was a 19-year-old student at the Royal Academy in London, when he was selected by Sir Joseph Banks in 1801 as the landscape and figure painter on Matthew Flinders’ Investigator expedition to explore the coastline of New Holland. Westall was by nature a conservative and somewhat reticent character who, despite being bored and frustrated by the long sea journey, completed geographical drawings and, occasionally, more finished watercolours that are the first and most accurate landscapes of this country. Their extraordinarily high artistic standards are most apparent in his beautiful portraits of Aboriginal people and the luminous watercolours of their cave paintings, the first such depictions by a European artist. These works chart the progress of Flinders’ circumnavigation from King George’s Sound in Western Australia, across the Great Australian Bight to the South Australian gulf country, to Kangaroo Island, and thence to Port Jackson and the Gulf of Carpentaria. The final drawing Westall made of the journey, View of Wreck Reef Bank Taken at Low Water: Terra Australis 1803, marks the end of Flinders’ ambitious expedition, and is a graphic example of the hazards faced by early travelling artists. It is something of a miracle that any of Westall’s works survived, let alone the 160 drawings that now form the National Library’s pre-eminent collection.

Return to Contents

Journal Articles and Substantial Monographs

Austin, KA, The Voyage of the Investigator 1801-1803, Commander Matthew Flinders, R.N, ([Adelaide]: Rigby, 1964), 222 pp      Available from the ACT Library Service

Australian Geographical Society, The Archipelago of the Recherche. (1952-1954) [NMA RIDE 508.9417 ARC]
      Seven parts issued in 3 v, Bound at sometime subsequent to publication in one volume. . pt. 1a. General history / by J.M. Béchervaise -- pt. 1b. Physiography / by R.W. Fairbridge and V.N. Serventy -- pt. 2. Birds / by V.N. Serventy -- pt. 3. Plants, 3a. Land flora / by J.H. Willis, 3b. Marine algae / by H.B.S. Womersley -- pt. 4. Mammals / by V. N. Serventy -- pt. 5. Reptiles and frogs / by L. Glauert -- pt. 6. Spiders and opiliones / by Barbara York Main -- pt. 7. Molluscs (sea shells and snails) /by J. Hope Macpherson.

Barker, RM, 'The Botanical Legacy of 1802: South Australian Plants Collected by Robert Brown and Peter Good on Matthew Flinders' Investigator and by the French Scientists on Baudin's Geographe and Naturaliste', Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens v.21 31 Jan 2007, pp.5-44.

Bennett, B, 'Exploring New Depths', Ecos (83), 1995, pp.25 (2)      Presents information on Matthew Flinder's career as a navigator. Voyages he took; When he circumnavigated Australia; Discoveries made; Date he died; What happened before he died; Conservation of the coastline that Flinders surveyed; Mappings of Australia's Underwater Features; Why seagrasses are endangered in area of high coastal population.

Bertie, CH, 'Matthew Flinder: Australia's Navigator', v.3 (7), Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Australian Historical Society 1916, pp.295-325.

Brown, AJ, 'Friends of Humanity: The Scientific Origins, Objectives and Outcomes of the Voyages of Nicolas Baudin and Matthew Flinders', South Australian Geographical Journal v.98 1999, pp.52-60      The French and British voyages of discovery to Australia between 1801 and 1803, led by Nicolas Baudin and Matthew Flinders, took place amid the global war between the two powers which lasted from 1793 to 1815. First proposed by the respective captains, they were sponsored by leading scientists on both sides - self-styled members of the 'commonwealth of learning'. The two captains received safe conducts for their vessels to pursue their explorations and scientific investigations. In the event their achievements were largely ignored, the scientific objectives of both expeditions compromised by the strategic demands of the war. For the commanders, tainted by allegations of espionage, their voyages ended in disaster, Baudin dying in disgrace at Mauritius and Flinders detained on the island for six and a half years.

Brown, AJ, 'Terra Australis Or Terre Napoleon?: Flinders, Baudin, and the Unknown Coast. [Extract from an Illustrated Lecture Presented to the Historical Society of South Australia, February 2000.]', Journal of the Historical Society of South Australia (28), 2000, pp.42-48. <http://search.informit.com.au/fullText;res=APAFT;dn=200105431>.

Brown, AJ, Ill-Starred Captains: Flinders and Baudin, (Hindmarsh, S. Aust.: Crawford House Publishing, 2000), 512 pp. [NMA 994.02 BRO]

Brown, AJ,'Double Vision: The Voyage Narratives of Flinders, Baudin and Peron [the Brock Lecture 2001.]', South Australian Geographical Journal v.100 (2001), 2001, pp.49-60. <http://search.informit.com.au/fullText;res=APAFT;dn=200206985>
      The accounts of their voyages by Matthew Flinders, Nicolas Baudin and Francois Péron are examined in the light of theories of the distortions inherent in such narratives and the extent to which they reflect the perceptions (by governments, institutions, and the personnel involved) of the function and value of such exploratory journeys.

Brown, AJ and C Cornell, 'Legacy of the Encounter: British and French Place Names on the South Australian Coast', South Australian Geographical Journal v.99 2000, pp.10-15. <http://search.informit.com.au/fullText;res=APAFT;dn=200117162>
      The British and French origins of the coastal place names of South Australia are provided with explanatory comments.

Burbridge, NT, 'Robert Brown's Australian Collecting Localities', v.80 (3), Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 1955, pp.229-233.

Colwell, M, The Voyages of Matthew Flinders, (London: Paul Hamlyn, 1970), 151 pp. [NMA EDWARDS 994.020924 COL (2 copies)]

Cooper, HM, The Unknown Coast: Being the Exploration of Captain Matthew Flinders, R.N., Along the Shores of South Australia, 1802, (Adelaide: [The Author], 1953), 173 pp.

Dooley, G, 'Matthew Flinders as Writer', Australian Book Review (239), Mar 2002, pp.45-48. <http://search.informit.com.au/fullText;res=APAFT;dn=200202969>.

Dooley, G, ''Well it is for Me that I have Books': Books in the Life of Matthew Flinders', Journal of Australian Studies (90), 2007, pp.[43]-48. [NMA S 994 JOU]
      Matthew Flinders was very fond of books and reading was important to him in his work. He was highly influenced by the books like 'Paradise Lost' by Milton, The Encyclopaedia and other books by famous writers.

Douglas, B, 'Slippery Word, Ambiguous Praxis: 'Race' and Late-18th-Century Voyagers in Oceania', Journal of Pacific History v.41 (1), June 2006, pp.1-29. <http://search.informit.com.au/fullText;res=APAFT;dn=200607222>.

Douglas, B, 'The Lure of Texts and the Discipline of Praxis: Cross-Cultural History in a Post-Empirical World.', Humanities Research v.14 (1), 2007, pp.11-30. <http://epress.anu.edu.au/hrj/2007_01/pdf/ch02.pdf>.

Doyle, J, 'Matthew Flinders: Pathway to Fame', International Hydrographic Review v.2 (1), 2002, pp.6-18      Since his death many books and articles have been written about Matthew Flinders. During his life, apart from his own books, he wrote much himself, and there is a large body of contemporary correspondence concerning him in various archives in England and Australia. The bicentenary of the start of his voyage in Investigator is so important that it deserves once more, to be drawn to the attention of those interested in hydrography. This paper traces Matthew Flinders' early life and training as a hydrographer until July 1801 when he sailed from England in Investigator on his fateful mission to chart the little known southern continent, that land mass which had yet to be named Australia.

Estensen, M, The Life of Matthew Flinders, (Crows Nest, N.S.W.: Allen & Unwin, 2002), 538 pp. <http://etitle.title.com.au/Openlib/olcontent.asp?a=72&b=222&c=1&d=1&e=1> [NMA 994.02092 EST]
      Biography of Matthew Flinders (English, 1774-1814) one of the most accomplished navigators and chartmakers of any age, inextricably linked to the early exploration of Australia. In 1798 he circumnavigated Tasmania, thus proving it to be an island. From 1801 to 1803 he circumnavigated mainland Australia in HMS Investigator. Available in electronic format.

Ferrar, AN, 'The Graphical Records of Matthew Flinders's Voyage to Terra Australis', Journal of Navigation v.37 (1), Jan 1984, pp.94-103.

Foley, JCH, 'Through the Barrier Reef: The Hydrographers Passage Story', Journal of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland v.13 (5), Feb 1988, pp.171-188.

Fornasiero, FJ and others, Encountering Terra Australis: The Australian Voyages of Nicolas Baudin and Matthew Flinders, (Kent Town, S. Aust.: Wakefield Press, 2004), 411 pp. [NMA 910.92 RIG]
      Traces the parallel lives and voyages of the explorers Flinders and Baudin, as they travelled to Australia and explored the coastline of mainland Australia and Tasmania.

Fornasiero, FJ, P Monteath and J West-Sooby, 'Hydrographic Reputations: Matthew Flinders, Nicolas Baudin and Australia's ' Unknown Coast'', Hydrographic Journal (121), 2006, pp.17-23.

Fornasiero, FJ and J West-Sooby, An Appetite for Discovery: The Culinary Adventures of Nicolas Baudin and Matthew Flinders in Terra Australis, 1800-1804, (Brompton, S.A.: East Street Publications, 2004), (21)-34 pp.

Fornasiero, FJ and J West-Sooby,'A Cordial Encounter?: The Meeting of Matthew Flinders and Nicolas Baudin (8-9 April, 1802)', French History and Civilization (Clayton, Vic.) v.1 (2005), 2005, pp.53-61. <http://www.h-france.net/rude/2005conference/West-Sooby2.pdf>.

Fowler, TW, 'The Charting of the Victorian Coast Line: A Reply to Mr Ernest Scott', Victorian Historical Magazine v.5 (2), December 1916, pp.49-77.

Healey, J, 'The Origins of the Name 'Australia'', South Australian Geographical Journal v.101 2002, pp.94-109      There is a misconception, prevalent among a number of writers, historians and curators, that it was Matthew Flinders who invented the name 'Australia'. It is high time that this myth was laid firmly to rest. The first person to use the term to refer to the actual continent was the naturalist George Shaw, in 1794. But the word was used by a number of writers in a variety of contexts in the two hundred years prior to this. This article looks at occurrences of the word 'Australia' in the writings of Quiros, Purchas, de Foigny, de Brosses, Callander Dalrymple, Wilson and Burney. It shows that Flinders was familiar with most of these writers and that his use of the name derived from them. (Scopus)

Although George Shaw and Matthew Flinders were the first to use the name 'Australia' to refer to the actual continent, the word (or its derivatives) was previously used by six other writers. Whether Shaw knew of any of these is not known, but Flinders was certainly familiar with most of them. Healey maintains that Matthew Flinders did not invent the name 'Australia'. George Shaw was the first to apply it to the actual continent in 1794. (Informit - AHB)

Hughes, TS, Matthew Flinders, (Pennant Hills, N.S.W.: Movement Publications, 1984), 120 pp. [NMA EDWARDS 994.02092 CUM]

Ingleton, GC, 'A Brief History of Marine Surveying in Australia: Part 1', v.30 (1), Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Australian Historical Society 1944, pp.1-44.

Ingleton, GC, Matthew Flinders : Navigator and chartmaker Foreword by HRH the Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh., (Genesis Publications in association with Hedley Australia: Guildford, Surrey, England, 1986), 467 pp      Available from the ACT Library Service

Jack, RL, Northmost Australia: Three Centuries of Exploration Discovery, and Adventure in and Around the Cape Yorke Peninsula, Queensland, (London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent, 1921)
      This item has appeared in several editions, dating from 1911 to 1998.

King, L, 'Bass and Flinders And the Voyages of the Two 'Tom Thumbs' (1795/1796)', Surveying Australia v.10 (2), June 1988, pp.83,86-88.

Laughton, JK, 'Matthew Flinders', in Stephen, L (ed.), Dictionary of National Biography, Smith, Elder, (London: 1885-1900), pp.325-329.

Lloyd, R, 'Encountering ‘Terra Australis’: The Australian Voyages of Nicolas Baudin and Matthew Flinders', Modern Language Review v.100 (4), 1 October 2005, pp.1124-1125      Book review

Mabberley, D, 'The Legacy of Flinders' Naturalist [the Life and Work of Pioneering Botanist Robert Brown]', Australian Geographic (60), Oct-Dec 2000, pp.48-63      Features Robert Brown, a naturalist from Great Britain, and talks about his research on plants and animals in Australia. Survey conducted by Brown on the Australian coastline during a voyage with Commander Matthew Flinders; Plant species collected by Brown; Contact made by Brown's group with the Aboriginals.

Mack, JD, 'Matthew Flinders and the British Admiralty Orders to H.M.S. 'Investigator'', Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Australian Historical Society v.43 (5), 1957, pp.205-222. [NMA S 994 JOU]

Mack, JD,Matthew Flinders, (Penrith: Discovery Press, 1972), 270 pp. [NMA 994.402092 MAC 1966 and HIND 920 F5]

Mellick, SA, 'John White and Matthew Flinders, Voyageurs Avantureux in New South Wales 1788-1799', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery v.70 (12), 2000, pp.875-882      The Cowlishaw Library at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons contains John White's journal, which describes the voyage of the First Fleet of 1787 and of which he was Principal Surgeon. He travelled on the transport Charlotte and on arrival at Port Jackson he became Surgeon General to the colony. His medical activities were diverse, and in addition he discovered and named many species of plants and animals and undertook several local explorations. His journal contains 64 beautiful drawings of local flora and fauna. Matthew Flinders arrived in Sydney in 1795 in company with surgeon, George Bass. They circumnavigated Tasmania in 1798. He also sailed north and searched for a river in southeast Queensland and explored much of Moreton Bay. In 1801 Matthew Flinders commenced his epic voyage of circumnavigation of Terra Australis. In returning to England he was imprisoned in Mauritius but finally arrived in England, and his remarkable Journal to Terra Australis was published in 1814 on the day he died. He was the first person to name the continent 'Australia'.

Monteath, P, 'The Making of Matthew Flinders', Journal of the Historical Society of South Australia (30), 2002, pp.42-51. <http://search.informit.com.au/fullText;res=APAFT;dn=200211199>.

Monteath, P,'Exploring Terra Australis', History Today v.53 (1), 2003, pp.48(8)      Discusses the French and British expeditions of Terra Australis. Background of Nicolas Baudin, commander of the French expedition; Information on Matthew Flinders of the British expedition; Details on the territories chartered by Baudin and Flinders.

Morgan, G, 'Recent Encounters in Mapping, Charting and Botany', South Australian Geographical Journal v.99 (2000), 2000, pp.36-47. <http://search.informit.com.au/fullText;res=APAFT;dn=200117166>.

Norst, M, 'Ferdinand Lucas Bauer 1760/1826: Recognition and Renaissance', Australian Natural History v.23 (4), Autumn 1990, pp.296-305.

Perry, TM, 'Matthew Flinders and the Charting of the Australian Coast', Globe (23), 1985, pp.1-10.

Povah, F, 'Flinders' Compass Bar', Australian Geographic (76), 2004, pp.29. [NMA S 994 AUS and EDWARDS S 994 AUS]
      Provides a brief history of the compass bar which was discovered by Matthew Flinders. Effect of magnetic field carried by wooden ships on compass bearings; Efforts of Flinders to find a solution for countering the interference of on-board metals on compasses; Overview of an international law of the sea regarding the use of magnetic compass in commercial ships.

Retter, C and S Sinclair, Letters to Ann : The Love Story of Matthew Flinders and Ann Chappelle (Pymble, N.S.W: Angus & Robertson, 1999), 150 pp      Available from the ACT Library Service.

Ritchie, GS, 'Matthew Flinder's Great Voyage', International Hydrographic Review v.2 (3), 2001, pp.6-16.

Ritchie, GS, Matthew Flinders, Hydrographer, (London: National Maritime Museum, 1975), 21 pp. [NMA EDWARDS 526.990924 RIT]
      First Matthew Flinders Memorial Lecture

Scott, E, 'English and French Navigators on the Victorian Coast', Victorian Historical Magazine v.2 (4), December 1912, pp.145-176.

Scott, E, The Life of Captain Matthew Flinders, (Pymble, N.S.W.: Angus & Robertson, 2001), 371 pp. <http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/7304>.

Smith, RJ, 'Matthew Flinders and the North Coast of New South Wales, 1799', Journal of the Royal Australian Historical Society v.85 (2), Dec 1999, pp.163-170. <http://search.informit.com.au/fullText;res=APAFT;dn=200004553> [NMA S 994 JOU]

Tickner, D, 'Filling in the Gaps: Mapping Australia's Coastline Took 200 Years', Position (Sydney, NSW) (24), Aug-Sept 2006, pp.48-51.

Toft, K, The Navigators: Flinders Vs Baudin: The Race between Matthew Flinders and Nicolas Baudin to Discover the Fabled Passage through the Middle of Australia, (Potts Point, N.S.W.: Duffy & Snellgrove, 2002), 354 pp.[NMA 994.02 TOF].

Wege, Juliet A. ed. Matthew Flinders and His Scientific Gentelman: The Expedition of HMS Investigator to Australia, 1801-05, (Perth: Western Australian Museum, 2005) , 184
      "... based on papers presented at the Investigator 200 Symposium held on 11 and 12 December 2001 at the Esplanade Hotel, Middleton Beach, Albany Western Australia"--

Wotherspoon, G, 'Exploring Love - Matthew Flinders and George Bass: Did they Or Didn't they?', Meanjin Quarterly v.66 (1), 2007, pp.47-52      The author presents an argument concerning the possibility of an interpersonal relationship between Australian explorers George Bass and Matthew Flinders. A brief biography each man is given and notes similarities between the two. Both were members of the British military. A letter from Flinders suggests a relationship deeper than friendship. The careers of Bass and Flinders in the early 1800s are discussed. The author comments on the context with which their relationship must be viewed.

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Juvenile Literature, Popular Treatments, and Book Excerpts

Alanson, AG, Ben Halyard: A Story of Bass and Flinders, (Sydney: Dymock's Book Arcade, 1907), 102 pp      Juvenile literature, fictitious treatment. National Library of Australia JAFp BIO 225

Amess, J and N Waller, Tom Fincham: The Boy Who Sailed with Flinders and Bass, (Auckland, N.Z.: Whitcombe & Tombs, 1926), 103 pp      Juvenile literature, fictional treatment. Held in State Libraries in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation,The Captains: Matthew Flinders,
      A very good site suitable for school students, it includes interactive tours of HMS Investigator http://www.abc.net.au/navigators/captains/flinders.htm

Bowen, J and MJ Bowen, The Great Barrier Reef: History, Science, Heritage, (Cambridge; Port Melbourne, Vic. : Cambridge University Press, 2002), 454 pp.[NMA 333.955309943 BOW]
      "One of the worlds natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef stretches more than 2000 kilometres in a maze of coral reefs and islands along Australias north-eastern coastline. Now unfolding the fascinating story behind its mystique this book provides for the first time a comprehensive cultural and ecological history of European impact, from early voyages of discovery to the most recent developments in Reef science and management. Incisive and a delight to read in its thorough account of the scientific, social and environmental consequences of European impact on the worlds greatest coral reef system, this extraordinary book is sure to become a classic." -- BOOK JACKET.

Brasch, N, Charting the Coast, (South Yarra, Vic.: Macmillan Education, 2003), 32 pp      This text looks at the way Europeans explored and mapped the Australian coastline. It includes voyages by Arthur Phillip, George Bass, Matthew Flinders , Nicolas Baudin, Philip Parker King and others. All of these expeditions took place after British settlement in 1788. Ages 9+

Brasch, N, Bass & Flinders, (Port Melbourne: Heinemann Library, 2005), 32 pp      This series of which this book is part provides in-depth information about the exploration of Australia, from early European coastal mapping during the 1500s and 1600s to the inland expeditions of the 1800s. Brings the stories of Australian explorers to life by focusing on the explorer's own accounts. Ages 9+

Dodson, C, Bass and Flinders (Sydney: Scholastic, 1999)
      Juvenile literature. Available from the ACT Library Service.

Drummond, A and M Ocido, Matthew Flinders, (Mentone, Vic.: Green Barrow Publishing, 2001), 50 pp      This book is aimed at the 10-14 years age group. National Library of Australia (ANL) Np 994.02092 M437D

Finkel, G and V Hatcher, Matthew Flinders, Explorer and Scientist, (Sydney, London: Collins, 1973), 63 pp      Juvenile literature. National Library of Australia (ANL) N 994.02 F499 and the ACT Library Service Erindale Branch J 920 FLI

Flinders , M and A Macarthur-Onslow, A Biographical Tribute to the Memory of Trim, (Pymble, N.S.W.: Angus & Robertson, 1997), 51 pp.[NMA 828.103 FLI and EDWARDS 828.103 FLI].

Flinders , M and K Oakland, Matthew Flinders a Biographical Tribute to the Memory of Trim [sound recording], (Sydney: Australian Listening Library, 1989)
      For children. Recorded from A biographical tribute to the memory of Trim, Isle de France 1809 / Matthew Flinders. -- Sydney : John Ferguson / Halstead Press, 1985. Performer Kay Oakland. Master held at the National Library

Lipscombe, T, On Austral Shores: A Modern Traveller's Guide to the European Exploration of the Coasts of Victoria and New South Wales, (Annandale, N.S.W: Envirobook, 2005), 253 pp      ACT Library Service 919.404 LIPS

Mellick, SA, 'John White and Matthew Flinders, Voyageurs Avantureux in New South Wales 1788-1799', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery v.70 (12), 2000, pp.875-882      The Cowlishaw Library at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons contains John White's journal, which describes the voyage of the First Fleet of 1787 and of which he was Principal Surgeon. He travelled on the transport Charlotte and on arrival at Port Jackson he became Surgeon General to the colony. His medical activities were diverse, and in addition he discovered and named many species of plants and animals and undertook several local explorations. His journal contains 64 beautiful drawings of local flora and fauna. Matthew Flinders arrived in Sydney in 1795 in company with surgeon, George Bass. They circumnavigated Tasmania in 1798. He also sailed north and searched for a river in southeast Queensland and explored much of Moreton Bay. In 1801 Matthew Flinders commenced his epic voyage of circumnavigation of Terra Australis. In returning to England he was imprisoned in Mauritius but finally arrived in England, and his remarkable Journal to Terra Australis was published in 1814 on the day he died. He was the first person to name the continent 'Australia'.

Phipson, J, Bass and Billy Martin [sound recording], (Sydney: North Rocks Blind School, 1900)
      Juvenile literature. Master held at the national Library. Performer unknown.

Phipson, J and R Brooks, Bass & Billy Martin, (South Melbourne, Vic.: Macmillan of Australia, 1972), 241 pp      Juvenile literature. The story of Billy Martin, personal servant to George Bass, and his travels with Bass and Matthew Flinders on their voyage of discovery when they found the strait between New Holland and Van Dieman's Land now known as Bass Strait. National Library of Australia N J994.02 P573 and ACT Library and Information Services JF PHI 7 copies

Rigby, N, Van der Merwe, Pieter and G Williams, Pioneers of the Pacific: Voyages of Exploration, 1787-1810, (Crawley, W.A.: University of Western Australia Press, 2005), 144 pp. [NMA 910.92 RIG]
      Due to the dominance of Captain Cook's Pacific exploration, many voyages of science and exploration following him to the Pacific have not received the attention they deserved. This title aims to correct this imbalance through the voyages by William Bligh, Matthew Flinders , La Perouse, Arthur Phillip and George Vancouver.

Smith, KV, King Bungaree: A Sydney Aborigine Meets the Great South Pacific Explorers, 1799-1830, (Kenthurst, NSW: Kangaroo Press, 1992), 192 pp.[NMA 305.89915092 SMI]
      Bungaree sailed several times with Matthew Flinders, including on the the Investigator.

Thynne, R, Matthew Flinders, Or, how we have Australia: Being the True Story of Captain Flinders' Explorations and Adventures, (London: J. Hogg, 1896), 352 pp      Juvenile literature, nonfiction. National Library of Australia N 994.020924 F622T

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Literary Treatment