Mfm G 2486-87
Papers of Sir John (1786-1847) and Lady Jane (1791-1875) Franklin 1836-1853
Lefroy Bequest, Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge, United
Kingdom. Microfilm copies of material held by the
Scott Polar Research Institute,
Cambridge UK.
Jane Franklin (1791-1875), the daughter of John Griffin, silk
weaver, and Mary Guillemard, was born in London. In 1828 she married John
Franklin, who was appointed lieutenant-governor of Van Diemen's Land in
1836.
During Franklin's term of office she helped achieve the formation of the
first Royal Society for the Advancement of Science outside Britian, the
foundation of a state college for higher education and the establishment
on an agricultural settlement on the banks of the Huon River
She organized a search for Sir John Franklin's lost Arctic expedition
between 1850 and 1857 which showed Franklin had discovered a North-West
Passage.
Sir John Franklin (1786-1847), rear admiral,
Arctic explorer and lieutenant-governor of Van Dieman's Land 1836-1843 was
born in Lincolnshire and educated at St. Ives and Louth Grammar School
before entering the Navy.
Franklin hoped the convict colony would become free and self-governing
but his period of office spanned difficult years. He dismissed his private
secretary, Alexander Maconochie in 1838. When transporatation to New South
Wales was abolished in 1840 it was increased to Van Diemen's Land and the
proportion of convicts rose. Together with an economic recession, problems
exacerbated and Franklin was recalled in 1843. His achievements included
the founding of the state primary education system and Christ's College,
an institution for higher education. He advocated exploration and took an
active interest in the cultural activities of the colony.
Upon his return to England Franklin was appointed to lead the Arctic
expedition to search for the North-West Passage. Whilst officially
recognised as the discoverer, he died on this journey.
References
West, John. The history of Tasmania (Launceston : Henry Dowling,
1852)
Fitzpatrick, K. Sir John Franklin in Tasmania 1837-43 (Melbourne
: Melbourne University Press, 1949)
Woodward, F.J. Portrait of Jane (London : Hodder and Stoughton,
1951)
Barry, John V. Maconochie of Norfolk Island (Melbourne :Oxford
University Press, 1958)
Shaw, A.G.L. 'Origins of the probation system in VDL' (Historical
Studies no. 21, Nov. 1953)
Reel G 2486
- MS 248/291
Sir John Franklin. Journal, 8 April-18 May 1841. Van Diemen's Land
- MS 248/156
Lady Franklin. Journal, March 1837. Van Diemen's Land
- MS 248/157
Lady Franklin. Journal, January 1839, 1-4 April, 1839, 3 October-23
December 1839. Sydney and Van Diemen's Land
- MS 248/158
Lady Franklin. Journal notes, 1841, 8 March 1843-14 March 1844. Van
Diemen's Land
- MS 248/170/4-6
Lady Franklin. Three letters to her father, John Griffin, 6 January
1837, 8 December, 1937, 12 October 1841
- MS 248/171/5
Lady Franklin. Letter to Mrs Leeves, 20 August 1841
- MS 248/175/1-6
Lady Franklin. 6 letters to Sir James Clark Ross, 8 October 1840-3
April, 1842
- MS 248/174/1-23
Lady Franklin. 23 letters to Mary Simpkinson from Van Diemen's Land,
1837-53
- MS 248/206/1-6
Lady Franklin. Copies of correspondence with Tasmanian institutions,
including the Legislative Council of Van Diemen's Land and Christ
College, Tasmania, 1852-53
- MS 248/295/1-3
Sir John Franklin. 3 letters to Admiral Francis Beaufort, 1840-43
- MS 248/306/1-5
Sir John Franklin. 5 letters to Sir George Gipps, 1838-41
- MS 248/225/3
Sir John Franklin. Letter to Sir Roderick Murchison, 19 November 1842
- MS 248/316/1-11
Sir John Franklin. 11 letters to Sir James Clark Ross, 1840-43
- MS 248/317
Sir John Franklin. Letter to Lord John Russell, 18 February 1840
- MS 248/319
Sir John Franklin. Letter to Mary Simpkinson, 14 April 1839
Reel G 2486
- MS 248/321/1-2
Sir John Franklin. 2 letters to Lord Stanley, 19 May and July 1844
- MS 248/330
Sir John Franklin Draft letter concerning A. Maconochie's dismissal as
Secretary to the Lieutenant-Governor of Van Diemen's Land [1838]
- MS 248/292/1-9
Sir John Franklin. 9 memoranda, 1839-43 concerning the administration
of Van Diemen's Land
- MS 248/422/4
F H. Henslowe. 4 letters to Lady Franklin [1842?]
- MS 248/426
Sir Joseph Hooker. Letter to Lady Franklin, 21 December 1846
Reel G 2487
- MS 248/84
Journal of Lady Franklin. Voyage to Van Diemen's Land, (24 August
1836-5 January, 1837)
- MS 248/85
Journal of Lady Franklin, Van Diemen's Land. Vol. 1 (26 August-19
November 1838)
- MS 248/86
Journal of Lady Franklin, Van Diemen's Land. Vol. 2 (22 August-9
September 1839)
- MS 248/87
Journal of Lady Franklin, Van Diemen's Land. Vol. 3 (11 September-30
November 1839)
- MS 248/88
Journal of Lady Franklin, Van Diemen's Land. Vol. 4 (29 April-7 July
1840)
- MS 248/89
Journal of Lady Franklin, Van Diemen's Land. Vol. 5 (12 July-13 October
1840
- MS 248/97
Notes by Lady Franklin on the convict system of Van Diemen's Land
- MS 248/90
Journal of Lady Franklin, Van Diemen's Land. Vol. 6 (20 February-1 May
1841)
Reel G 2487
- MS 248/91
Journal of Lady Franklin, Van Diemen's Land. Vol. 7 (4 May-10 July
1841)
- MS 248/92
Journal of Lady Franklin, Van Diemen's Land. Vol. 8 (1 August-5 October
1841)
- MS 248/93
Journal of Lady Franklin, Van Diemen's Land. Vol. 9 (1-29 January 1842)
- MS 248/94
Journal of Lady Franklin, Van Diemen's Land. Vol. 10.(10 February-12
March 1842)
- MS 248/95
Journal of Lady Franklin, Van Diemen's Land. Vol. 11 (1 January-29
March 1843)
- MS 248/96
Journal of Lady Franklin, Van Diemen's Land. Vol. 12 (8 May-26 July
1843)
Guide compiled 1993. Last updated 21 August 1996
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