Leaving Brazil and heading for Sydney Town

28th September 1816

On this day, 28th September 1816, Allan Cunningham and his colleague James Bowie departed Rio de Janeiro, having spent two years collecting plant specimens for Sir Joseph Banks and Kew Gardens. During this time they gradually became experts in botanical identification and their ability to overcome obstacles they met along the way were the foundations on which their future careers would stand.

Allan Cunningham headed for Port Jackson, Australia and James Bowie went to Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. 1

  1. Source: Robert Heward’s Biographical Sketch of Allan Cunningham[↩]