A few introductory words to a remarkable man

Jacques-Julien Houtou de Labillardière was born in Normandy in 1755. He was one the great traveller-naturalists of the eighteenth century and published the first book on the flora of Australia, Novae Hollandiae Plantarum Specimen.

His account of his voyage to the South Seas on the ship Esperance with Bruni d'Entrecasteaux in 1791-93, Relation du Voyage à la Recherche de la Pérouse  became an international bestseller and was translated into English. 

You can read his full biography, Citizen Labillardière by Edward Duyker.

I am lucky enough to have this opportunity to bring Monsieur Labillardière back, (sorry Citizen Labillardière, he was a staunch republican after all) in a time travelling manner, to our present. He has been remade and I will do my best to do justice to this remarkable man. 

I will be posting short videos of his journey back to Australia 227 years after his initial journey. These videos will document his reactions to the many changes in our new world. They will also document his outfits, describing the garments and the fabric used to make them. (I am a costume maker and embroiderer and he is really just an excuse for me to indulge these passions)

More to come.