A new exhibition of maps at the Cambridge University Library tells the story of how European cartographers charted Australia. Timed to coincide with the centenary of Australia's foundation as a federal state, the exhibition begins with the early imaginary maps of the 16th century and ends in 1901, when the British colonies were united into a nation with a federal structure. The exhibition is being opened today (Monday 2 April, 2001) by the Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Michael L'Estrange.
A new exhibition of maps at the Cambridge University Library tells the story of how European cartographers charted Australia. Timed to coincide with the centenary of Australia's foundation as a federal state, the exhibition begins with the early imaginary maps of the 16th century and ends in 1901, when the British colonies were united into a nation with a federal structure. The exhibition is being opened today (Monday 2 April, 2001) by the Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Michael L'Estrange.
A new exhibition of maps at the Cambridge University Library tells the story of how European cartographers charted Australia. Timed to coincide with the centenary of Australia's foundation as a federal state, the exhibition begins with the early imaginary maps of the 16th century and ends in 1901, when the British colonies were united into a nation with a federal structure. The exhibition is being opened today (Monday 2 April, 2001) by the Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Michael L'Estrange.
"Although Europeans did not discover Australia - a flourishing Aboriginal culture already existed there - they were the driving force behind the mapping of the continent," explains Anne Taylor, Head of the Library's Map Department.
"Representations of the imagined land in the southern hemisphere gradually changed as more land was charted and the real shape of the Australian continent began to emerge."
The oldest item in the exhibition is a map of the world,1540. Drawn by Sebastian Munster, Professor of Hebrew at Basle University, it shows the Southern ocean without the landmass of Australia. A 1641 world map by Henricus Hondius, shows the newly-discovered coastline of Cape York Peninsula alongside the mythical Terra Australis Incognita.
'A complete map of the southern continent' by Emanuel Bowen, 1744, is the first map by an Englishman to show only Australia. Bowen has stated on the map: "it is impossible to conceive a country that promises fairer from its situation than this."
The exhibition also includes maps and views taken from John Hawkesworth's 1773 account of Captain Cook's first voyage, which illustrates his key role in defining the east coast of Australia, and an interactive CD-ROM, Endeavour, which tells the story of the journey using text, images and sound.
Exhibition details:
Open to the public, admission free
Venue: Exhibition Centre, Cambridge University Library, West Road, Cambridge
Dates: 3 April to 15 September 2001 (closed 13-16 April and 27 August)
Opening times: Mon-Fri 9.00am - 6.00pm, Sat 9.00am - 12.30pm,(Sun closed)
School groups: School groups are welcome to visit, free of charge. Teachers bringing groups of more than 15 children are asked to give advance notice of their visit. Please contact exhibitions@lib.cam.ac.uk or telephone 01223 333122.
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