A case for official recognition by The Royal Society of Captain Matthew Flinders with the posthumous award of an Honorary Fellowship, on the occasion of the re-interment of his remains at St Mary and the Holy Rood Church, Donington, Lincolnshire on Saturday 13th July 2024.

To be Presented to: 

SIR ADRIAN SMITH, PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY

6-9 Carlton House Terrance, London SW1Y 5AG

The main criterion for the election as a Fellow of The Royal Society is scientific excellence.

Whilst it is accepted that there is no precedence for this the undersigned unanimously agree that there is sufficient evidence of Matthew Flinders scientific work for The Royal Society to grant Captain Matthew Flinders (1774 - 1814) a posthumous Honorary Fellowship as an academic title awarded to individuals who have given distinguished service to the cause of science, but do not have the kind of scientific achievements or recognised qualifications required of Fellows.

EVIDENCE

1: As published in The Royal Society's Philosophical Transactions 1805/1806

A: 'Observations upon the Marine Barometer', drew upon hundreds of recordings proving that wind direction could be predicted from barometric pressure and latitude. The widely praised paper was distributed by the Admiralty to all navigators.

 B: ‘Concerning the Differences in the Magnetic Needle, on Board the Investigator, Arising from an Alteration in the Direction of the Ship's Head’ Which led to the creation of the Flinders Bar installed beneath the binnacle to counteract the vertical magnetism in a ship. Still a legal requirement under International Maritime Regulations and SOLAS (Safety of Lives at Sea).

2: Flinders contribution to the geological history of Mauritius has also been recognised. From his many excursions to topographical features and his examination of several subterranean caverns he is regarded in many circles as the first to identify the volcanic origins of the island. As well as his accurate predictions of the effects of deforestation and climatic change witnessed on the island which he summarised as the 'total disregard the planters have, “Sacrificing the future for current convenience"’. Which resonates with the anti-fossil fuel lobby today.

3: His observations of the avian, animal, geological, mineralogical and botanical composition of Australia led the famous botanist and friend, Robert Brown, to name a new genus of tree 'Flindersia Australis', to commemorate the many merits of Captain Flinders 'who was the able and active commander of our expedition'.

4: Flinders' own words are his own testimony: ‘The friends of science are ever the friends of humanity’ 

He cultivated a wide circle of literary and scientific acquaintances, and his case was taken up by the most famous intellectuals of his time, including the explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville, the astronomer Joseph Jerome de Lalande, and other savants.

5: Final word from his benefactor, Sir Joseph Banks, the longest serving President of The Royal Society from 1778 – 1820. After meeting Flinders, he was so impressed by his intelligence, character and knowledge of his subject that he had no hesitation in recommending him to the Admiralty as commander of the expedition, aboard the Investigator, even though he was still only 26. His faith justified with the publication of 'Voyage to Terra Australis' which included the: ‘General chart of Terra Australis or Australia’ showing the parts explored between 1798 and 1803 by Matthew Flinders. (National Library of Australia nla.map t1494)

 Many of Flinders charts were still in use by the Australian navy in the late 1990's.