Enlightenment, empire and Lachlan Macquarie's journey through Persia and Russia

In 1807 Lachlan Macquarie travelled to Britain from India via the Middle East and Russia. He was particularly impressed with the city of St Petersburg. Scholars have paid little attention to this journey, but this article argues that Macquarie’s 1807 travel journals shed light on his attitudes and values. In particular, it argues that St Petersburg and the workings of the Russian police state left a lasting impression that informed his conduct as governor in New South Wales.