The Life of Captain Matthew Flinders is a biography by Sir Ernest Scott, which examines the life and career of one of Australia's most significant early explorers, Captain Matthew Flinders. Flinders is best known for his pioneering navigation and mapping of the Australian coastline, and Scott’s biography provides a detailed and insightful account of his life, achievements, and legacy.The biography covers Flinders' early life in England, his education at the Royal Naval Academy, and his early naval career. Flinders was a committed and ambitious officer in the British Navy, and his first major contribution to the exploration of Australia began in 1795 when he joined an expedition to explore the coastlines of the southern and eastern parts of the continent.