Traveller, explorer of Australia and Tasmania. Born 1797 in Głuszyna near Poznań. Took part in the November Insurrection (1830); after the rebellion’s defeat, he went away to England and then, to the United States. Between 1834 and 1838, he traversed enormous areas of the Americas, including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Chile, doing extensive research in the areas of geology, meteorology and ethnography. In 1838, he set off to Australia, which he eventually reached via the islands of Oceania and New Zealand.

Once there, he explored the Great Dividing Range and the terrains of New South Wales. He also investigated desert areas, discovered the springs of the Murray river, a part of Australian Alps, climbing up the continent’s highest peak which he named Mount Kościuszko. He discovered deposits of gold, hard coal and other minerals. In 1841 to 1843, he explored the island of Tasmania.

In 1843, he returned to England where he published the outcomes of his extensive research, thus making an international name for himself. Three years later, he hasted to Ireland to offer humanitarian aid to victims of famine. Made member of the Royal Geographic Society in 1853; obtained honorary doctorate from the Oxford University in 1860. Strzelecki died 1873 in London and was buried at the Kensal Green cemetery. His ashes were brought to his native Poland in 1997 and deposited at the Crypt of the Distinguished of Poznań’s St. Adalbert’s church.