Frank Horner (1917-2004)

When Frank Horner passed away in July 2004, it was at a time of renewed research interest both in the early French exploration of Australia and the achievements of the Baudin expedition, the very interest that he had been so influential in awakening. In July 2006, when planning a major series of public lectures to coincide with the three conferences of French language and culture that were to take place at the University of Adelaide, the organizers, in consultation with Frank's family, considered this an opportune moment to pay homage to his pioneering work by inaugurating a series of scholarly public lectures in his name. It is to be hoped that this lecture series will, over time, establish an even greater public awareness of the French contribution to the reconnaissance of the australian continent and thus perpetuate Frank Horner's singular legacy, as summed up by his two major works:

The Inaugural Lecture (10 July 2006)

In the light of recent celebrations of the Baudin bi-centenary, it was deemed of great public interest to focus upon the subject of Frank's first study in the inaugural lecture: the Baudin expedition to Australia (1800-1804). Furthermore, to designate a speaker who was the expedition's eminent specialist within the Australian scholarly community was not problematic.