author
Ida Lee
1865–1943
An Australian historian and poet with a gift for bringing early exploration to life, she wrote vividly about Captain Cook, the First Fleet, and the making of the Pacific world.
2 Audiobooks
About the author
Born in Kelso, New South Wales, in 1865, Ida Louisa Lee became known for historical writing that explored Australia's colonial past and the voyages that shaped the Pacific. She later lived in England, where she continued her research and writing, and she was recognized as a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
Her books focused on maritime history, exploration, and the early years of British settlement in Australia. She wrote about figures such as Captain Cook, Arthur Phillip, and the naval surgeon and artist George Bass, combining careful research with a clear, readable style.
Lee also wrote poetry, but she is best remembered for making Australian and Pacific history accessible to general readers. She died in Norwich in 1943.