Explorer Jules-Sébastien-César Dumont d'Urville (1790-1842) is sometimes called France's Captain Cook. Born less than a year after the beginning of the French Revolution, he lived through turbulent times. He was an erudite polymath: a maritime explorer fascinated by botany, entomology, ethnography and the diverse languages of the world."--Jacket
The narrative follows François Péron, an ambitious medical student who joined Nicolas Baudin's 1800 expedition to Australia as an assistant zoologist. As Péron navigated challenges, including the deaths and desertions of colleagues, he ascended the ranks and authored the expedition's official account, aiming to tarnish Baudin's legacy. Duyker's biography explores Péron's scientific contributions and the complex dynamics of their relationship while providing a rich historical context that spans pre-revolutionary France to the tumultuous era of Napoleon.
Focusing on the life of Daniel Solander, this biography explores his significant contributions as a naturalist during the Endeavour voyage and his impact on modern taxonomy. Edward Duyker highlights Solander's adventurous spirit, detailing his extensive travels from the Arctic to Tierra del Fuego, as well as his involvement in industrial espionage and personal relationships, including a thwarted love for Linnaeus's daughter. The narrative captures the essence of the Enlightenment and Solander's friendships with notable figures like Banks and Franklin, making it a compelling historical account.
The journal recounts Admiral Bruny d'Entrecasteaux's 1791 expedition from Revolutionary France to find the missing explorer La Pérouse. Over nearly two years, he navigated challenges, maintaining unity among his ideologically divided crew, which included a cross-dressing woman. His humane and joyful interactions with the peoples of Australia and the Pacific highlight the expedition's significance beyond its rescue mission. Despite not finding La Pérouse and ultimately perishing, d'Entrecasteaux's journey led to important discoveries like the Derwent estuary and the D'Entrecasteaux Channel.