Intrepid explorers recognised in Lincolnshire’s Great Exhibition

Lincolnshire was the birthplace and home to a number of distinguished explorers who travelled as far afield as Australia and the Arctic.

Sir Joseph Banks, born in Horncastle in 1743, George Bass, born in Aswarby in 1771, and Matthew Flinders, born in Donington in 1774, are the three Lincolnshire men to whose endeavours are owed the opening up of the natural history and cartography of Australia.

Also, Sir John Franklin, born in Spilsby in 1786, whose more famous exploits took place in the Arctic, but who sailed as a midshipman with Flinders.

Sir Joseph Banks, who sailed with Captain Cook on the voyage of HMS Endeavour from 1768 to 1771,  was also influential in the mounting of Matthew Flinders’ voyage on HMS Investigator which led to the circumnavigation of the Australian mainland and the production of the most important early map.

Flinders’ 1804 chart, which has been generously loaned by The National Archives to Lincolnshire’s Great Exhibition, was not only the first map to show the complete coastline of Australia, it was also the first to name the continent, ‘Australia’.

John Franklin’s most famous expedition was a tragic attempt to discover the North West passage from which he never returned. Some of the items Franklin took on his expeditions, such as his pocket watch, compass and mitten, are on display in the exhibition, generously loaned by The National Maritime Museum, Greenwich.

[Please note that the exhibits mentioned above can be seen at The Collection, Lincoln]

The exhibition, displaying around 150 loan exhibits, runs until 27 September, 2015, and takes place across four venues in the city. Visitors have the opportunity to see the exhibition located across the Usher Gallery, The Collection, the Medieval and Wren Libraries in Lincoln Cathedral, and at Lincoln Castle.

The Historic Lincoln Trust gratefully acknowledges the support and invaluable contribution of all the lenders, the honorary curators – Dr Alan Borg, Jeff James and Oliver Morley, members of the exhibition advisory panel, sponsors, private donors, and staff from the Cathedral and Lincolnshire County Council in the realisation of this exhibition.

Principal sponsor – David Ross Foundation

Sponsors – Lindum, Siemens, Macquarie University, Australia

In partnership with The British Library