Burke & Wills: The Scientific Legacy of the Victorian Exploring Expedition

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Description

This book challenges the common assumption that little or nothing of scientific value was achieved during the Burke and Wills expedition. The Royal Society of Victoria initiated the Victorian Exploring Expedition as a serious scientific exploration of the hitherto unexplored centre of Australia. Members of the expedition were sent 10 pages of detailed instructions on scientific measurements and observations to be carried out, covering about a dozen areas of science. The tragic ending of the expedition meant that the results of the scientific investigations were not reported or published. Burke and Wills: The Scientific Legacy of the Victorian Exploring Expedition rectifies this historic omission. It includes the original instructions as well as numerous paintings and drawings, documents the actual science undertaken as recorded in notebooks and diaries, and analyses the outcomes. It reveals for the first time the true extent and limits of the scientific achievements of both the Burke and Wills expedition and the various relief expeditions which followed. Importantly, this new book has led to a re-appraisal of the successes of the journey. It will be a compelling read for historians of science and natural history, and those interested in Australian history and heritage.

Reviews

"Becker's work in particular is world-class scientific illustration and landscape art, created under the worst imaginable circumstances, and it is beautifully reproduced here. A book that gives a new picture of an important event in Australian history, it is necessary for scholars in the field, and would be informative and enjoyable for any reader interested in natural history, art, Victorian exploration, or Australia."-- (01/01/2012)
"Overall, the volume does an important service by rescuing historical data that contributes to our scientific understanding of Australia's interior."--Conor Burns, Ryerson University, Toronto (12/01/2015)
"This book challenges the common assumption that little or nothing of scientific value was achieved during the Burke and Wills expedition... Recommended for those with an interest in Australian natural history history."-- (03/01/2012)

Author Bio

Doug McCann is Honorary Fellow at the School of Earth Sciences, University of Melbourne. Bernie Joyce is Honorary Principal Fellow at the School of Earth Sciences, University of Melbourne.