Dorothea MacKellar met Joseph and Jesse Conrad in mid-1912 during a family visit to England. After her publisher wrote to the Conrads introducing her, they invited her to their home in Orlestone, Kent, where the Australian writer became friends with the family. She continued to see them during 1912-1913 when she stayed on in London after her family had returned to Australia. Dorothea MacKellar left Australia for a second visit to England in February 1920, Deborah Fitzgerald’s biography mentions her staying with the Conrads in August and October of that year. Dorothea MacKellar returned to Australia in February 1921 and did not see the Conrads again.
Inscribed, 'To my friend Dorothea MacKellar affectionately Joseph Conrad 1920'
Joseph Conrad began ‘The Rescue’ in 1898, put it aside, began work on it again in 1918, and it was published in January 1920. It is his third novel to feature Captain Tom Lingard and is reputed to draw on Conrad's experience as first mate on the “Vidar” sailing between Singapore, Borneo and Sulawesi during 1887 and 1888.
