Matthew Flinders valued his friendships immensely and knew his achievements were made possible through these close relationships. A talk by Flinders’ Dr Gillian Dooley will explore his many affections and allegiances, through his own writings and contemporary sources.

There is a vast amount of evidence that illustrates what friendship meant to Matthew Flinders. He took friendship and its obligations seriously and often went out of his way to repay a friend’s kindness.

“How extremely happy I have been in my friendships” Matthew Flinders wrote to George Bass.

His wife Ann, was “not only a beloved wife, but my most dear and most intimate friend”.

Flinders called Sir Joseph Banks “my greatest and best friend” and the Investigator ship’s cat, Trim, was also his friend – and in turn Flinders was Trim’s “affectionate master and friend”.

Detained on Mauritius for more than six years, Flinders made many life-long friends among the French inhabitants.

This free public lecture is part of The History Trust of South Australia’s ‘Talking History’ series, with networking drinks included, courtesy of O’Leary Walker Wines.

Event details:

Presenter:

Dr Gillian Dooley is an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at Flinders University and is the co-editor of Matthew Flinders’ Private Journal. She has published several articles on Flinders and gave the Royal Society Matthew Flinders Memorial Lecture in 2014, and a lecture on Flinders and Sir Joseph Banks at the Royal Maritime Museum, Greenwich, in 2017.

Where: History Trust of South Australia, Drill Hall, Torrens Parade Ground, Adelaide (Parking available on Torrens Parade ground)

When:  5:30 – 7:00PM Tuesday 19 June 2018

RSVP: Register online