Nature's Argonaut: Daniel Solander 1733-1782

(Paperback)

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Nature's Argonaut is the first full biography of this important eighteenth-century naturalist who not only circled the globe under sail but ranged as far north as the Arctic and as far south as Tierra del Fuego.

Edward Duyker pays particular attention to Solander's role as a naturalist on the Endeavour during the ship's voyage along the east coast of Australia and to his pioneering contribution to the scientific study of the new continent. The author has also provided a comprehensive account of Solander's life and his contribution to the foundations of modern plant and animal taxonomy.

The life of Daniel Solander, stamped with the enquiring spirit of the Enlightenment, is one of the grand adventures of the eighteenth century. Aside from the historic Endeavour voyage, Solander's Arctic travels, his involvement in industrial espionage in England on behalf of Sweden, his thwarted love for the daughter of his mentor Linnaeus and his friendships with such men as Joseph Banks, James Cook, Samuel Johnson, Matthew Boulton and Benjamin Franklin make Solander an exciting biographical subject.

Author Bio

Dr Edward Duyker comes from a family deeply steeped in the sea. He is the author of many books dealing with early Australian coastal exploration, including An Officer of the Blue (1994), Nature's Argonaut (1998), the award-winning Citizen Labillardi re (2003) and, most recently, Fran ois Peron (2006). In 2000 Dr Duyker was made a Chevalier de l'Ordre des Palmes Academiques by the French government. He was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2003 and the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2004.