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Sunday, September 7th, 2009
A Writer's Journal
Discovering Allan Cunningham
"It is by honouring the memory of great men that one inspires greatness in others." Hyacinthe de Bougainville 8th September 1825"
This blog is a recording of my journey as I get to know a botanist, Allan Cunningham, who dedicated his life to science in the early 1800s.After coming across his grave site in the middle of the Sydney Botanic Gardens, I was inspired to get to know him. The moss covered plaque, on his memorial, simply saying that Allan Cunningham, Botanist Explorer 1791-1839 was buried at the spot, drew me in. I'd never heard of him and my curiosity twinkled like a bright light.
Allan Cunningham Botanist Explorer 1791-1839
Pen and Ink Drawing by Phillip Parker King
National Library of Australia Collection
My interest was further fueled by the words Ida Lee, an Historian, wrote back in 1925, when she realised that she was too ill to complete her work recording the story of Allan Cunningham. She regretfully acknowledged : "owing to illness continually hampering my efforts I have been unable to carry out my original intentions. I therefore trust that in due course an abler writer will deal with what I have omitted and do Cunningham's memory the justice it so richly deserves" (Ida Lee, "Early Explorers in Australia" 1925). It was like an invitation. Not so much that I am an abler writer, more so that she thought the man "richly deserves" to be remembered.
Since discovering the grave I have done some extensive research. The more I know about this kindly brave and dedicated man, the more I am driven by excitement and enthusiasm to record his story.
His is a story of tenacity, courage, commitment, curiosity and passion, it's an adventure story. If I tell this story well, the reader will be able to follow in the footsteps of this man's life journey and will be rewarded with the knowledge that so much can be achieved with just a little passion, perseverance and tenacity.During the early 1800's he participated in some of the major British expeditions in Australia, on land and on sea.
Allan Cunningham's drive was not fueled by a desire for fame and fortune. He did it because he was curious and he was given the opportunity. He had a tenacious spirit that allowed him to over-ride his frail and often sickly physique and pursue his need to know. His ancestors were Scottish. The influence of the Scottish Enlightenment and the Scottish psych on our hero cannot be ignored.
The method for recording this story has not yet been "nailed down". At this stage I think it is a six part television documentary series accompanied by a book, similar to the method Michael Palin used in his documentary series, Hemingway's Adventure.
The story incorporates at least six major adventures, travels across the oceans of the world when longitude measurement was in in its infancy, scientific study and the naming of plants identified for the first time by Europeans in the global landscape.
The story is a visual one and could be illustrated with many wonderful images from our treasure trove of historical art left behind by our ancestors plus high quality photography will be used to give a window into the geography of the story.The story is populated by some wonderful characters.
AC knew so many of the history makers during the Macquarie era and several years after. He was a member of important scientific societies of his time, for example the Linnean Society of London. He was well educated and well read. He corresponded with many eminent scientists in the field of Botany.
Come with me on this journey, let's find out what he achieved and why he dedicated his life to science?