Peter Borschberg

Public Lecture at the NLB

 

 

Studies in the historical cartography of Singapore and Malaya have been commonly based on British and Japanese maps and charts, even though the area has been a vital international maritime crossroads centuries prior to the founding of the trading post by Raffles in 1819. In his research on the involvement of continental European nations in Southeast Asia between the 16th and the 19th centuries, Peter Borschberg has encountered rich archives of maps and other navigational illustrations on what is now Singapore.

Borschberg discussed his findings and shared part his collection painstakingly accumulated over the past decade. Aside from their graphic and colourful designs, these illustrations are critical for revealing Singapore’s global significance in the pre-Raffles era.

This lecture was organized by the Singapore Heritage Society.

 

Hydrographic chart from the early 17th Century, National Library, Berlin

(formerly Bibliothek Preussischen Kulturbesitzes)

Maps and Charts of Singapore from the Archives of Continental Europe

 

Date: 16/Aug/2009

Above: Peter Borschberg fielding questions from the enthusiastic audience of approximately 200.

Below: Discussant Kwa Chong Guan opening the floor for questions after the delivery of the paper.