P000423 revised AU-VU:EOAS Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation

All key entry types: Awards; Concepts; Corporate Bodies (Organisations); Cultural Artefacts; People; etc

These key entries are listed separately below with other indexes and lists.

 English AACR2 Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules Person created 1993-10-20 human Gavan McCarthy [P004098] and Helen Cohn updated 2026-02-10 human https://www.eoas.info/biogs/P000423b.htm person Franklin John Kt FRS AACR2 16 April 1786 11 June 1847 Place of Birth Spilsby, Lincolnshire, England Place of Death King William Island, Canada Governor Science patron Arctic explorer Naval officer John Franklin was a naval officer and experienced polar explorer, and colonial governor. After joining the Royal Navy in 1800, he saw service at the Battle of Trafalgar and was a midshipman in H.M.S. Investigator to New Holland 1801 - 1804 under the command of Matthew Flinders. Franklin's subsequent naval career was interspersed with periods ashore on half pay. Between 1819 and 1828 Franklin led two explorations of large areas of northern Canada. The first, tortuous, journey was to chart the north coast between Hudson Bay and the Coppermine River. During the second expedition of 1824 to 1828 he travelled widely in the region of the Great Slave and Great Bear Lakes, and followed the Mackenzie River to its mouth. In 1837 Franklin was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania). In this role he walked a delicate line between the penal purpose of the colony and the push for reform by the free colonists. Despite enjoying considerable popular support, Franklin was subject to a hostile local press. He found himself increasingly at odds with the colonial Secretary, John Montague: this acrimony led to Franklin's recall in 1843. Franklin's scientific interests found expression in Tasmania with his promotion of the Tasmanian Natural History Society and its journal, the Tasmanian journal of natural history, and the establishment of the Rossbank Observatory. In 1845 he was appointed to command an expedition to the Canadian Arctic seeking a passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean (the Northwest Passage). The vessels used for the expedition were H.M.S. Erebus and H.M.S. Terror. Both became stuck in ice and ultimately sank.

"Heroic he once might have appreared, but when he fetched up in the island colony he was nearly fifty, corpulent and prematurely aged, seen as 'a nice old gentleman' - none too bright, well meaning and unassuming. His second wife, Lady Jane Franklin, was five years younger and cut from a different cloth. Clever, energetic and audacious, she was fiercely ambitious for her husband, if not for herself. . . . The colonists had never encountered a lady like her, certainly not a governor's wife who gathered around her a coterie of interesting young men." (Pybus 2024 page 140)

1801 1801 Career event - Joined the Royal Navy 1801 1804 Career position - Midshipman, H.M.S. Investigator (under command of Matthew Flinders 1801 - 1903) 1819 1822 Career position - Leader of the expedition to chart the north coast of Canada from Hudson Bay to the Coppermine River 1822 1822 Career event - Promoted to Captain 1822 1847 Award - Fellow, The Royal Society, London (FRS) 1824 1828 Career position - Leader of the expedition to explore northern Canada and follow the Mackenzie River to its mouth 1829 1829 Award - Knight bachelor (Kt) 1829 1829 Award - Gold Medal, Geographical Society of Paris 1830 1833 Career position - Commanded H.M.S. Rainbow during Greek was of independence 1836 1836 Award - Knight Commander of the Royal Guelphic Order 1837 1843 Career position - Lieutenant Governor, Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) 1838 1838 Career event - Promoter and co-founder, Tasmanian Natural History Society 1840 1840 Career event - Co-founder, Rossbank Observatory May 1845 June 1847 Career position - Leader of expedition to discover the Northwest Passage Crozier, Francis Rawdon Moira (1796 - c. 1848)

Captain, H.M.S. Terror on the voyage seeking the northwest passage, under command of John Franklin 1845 - ?1848

 Kay, William Porden (1809 - 1870)

William was a nephew of Sir John Franklin by marriage.

 Tasmanian Natural History Society (1838 - 1849)

Promoter and co-founder

 Simpkinson de Wesselow, Francis Guillemard (1819 - 1906)

Simpkinson de Wesselow was Franklin's nephew

 H.M.S. Investigator, Royal Navy (1795 - c. 1872)

Midshipman 1801 - 1804

 Flinders, Matthew (1774 - 1814)

Franklin served as Midshipman, H.M.S. Investigator 1801 - 1804 (under command of Matthew Flinders 1801 - 1803); Flinders was Franklin's uncle

 Colony of Van Diemen's Land (1803 - 1855)

Lieutenant-Governor 1837 - 1843

 Rossbank Observatory (1840 - 1854)

Co-founder 1840

 Franklin, Jane (1791 - 1875)

Spouse 1828-1847

 Hooker, William Jackson (1785 - 1865) Milligan, Joseph (1807 - 1884)

A scandal around his appointment in 1842 contributed to the recall of Governor Franklin

Wikidata

VIAF - Virtual International Authority File

 Franklin, John (1786-1847)

Trove

 'Franklin, John', in Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation, Centre for Transformative Innovation, Swinburne University of Technology Franklin, John Swinburne University of Technology, Centre for Transformative Innovation Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation Book: The bird man: the extraordinary story of John Gould Tree, Isabella The bird man: the extraordinary story of John Gould London Ebery Press 2003 Book: Sir John Franklin in Tasmania 1847-1843 Fitzpatrick, Kathleen Sir John Franklin in Tasmania 1847-1843 Melbourne Melbourne University Press 1949 Book Section: Paradise Lost: Sir John and Lady Franklin Russell, Penny Paradise Lost: Sir John and Lady Franklin Melbourne Melbourne University Press 1994 For Richer, For Poorer: Early Colonial Marriages Penny Russell Book Section: Franklin, Lady Jane (1791-1875), protagonist, governor's lady and patron of science Woodward, Frances J. Franklin, Lady Jane (1791-1875), protagonist, governor's lady and patron of science Melbourne Melbourne University Press 1966 Australian dictionary of biography, volume 1: 1788 - 1850 A-H Douglas Pike 411-412 Journal Article: Whence came the lead in Franklin's crewmen Farrer, Keith Thomas Henry Whence came the lead in Franklin's crewmen 1989 Food Science and Technology Today 3 2 93-94 Journal Article: Lead in the last Franklin expedition Farrer, Keith Thomas Henry Lead in the last Franklin expedition 1993 Journal of Archaeological Science 20 399-409 Journal Article: Goldner's preserved meat and the last Franklin expedition Farrer, Keith Thomas Henry Goldner's preserved meat and the last Franklin expedition 2000 Food Science and Technology Today 15 1 20-24 Book Section: Franklin, Sir John (1786-1847), rear admiral, Arctic explorer and lieutenant-governor Fitzpatrick, Kathleen Franklin, Sir John (1786-1847), rear admiral, Arctic explorer and lieutenant-governor Melbourne Melbourne University Press 1966 Australian dictionary of biography, volume 1: 1788 - 1850 A-H Douglas Pike 412-415 Journal Article: The Royal Society of Tasmania Garden, Don The Royal Society of Tasmania 2025 History: magazine of the Royal Australian Historical Society 165 18-21 Book: Some private correspondence of Sir John and Lady Franklin (Tasmania, 1837 - 1845): with an introd., notes and commentary by George Mackaness Franklin, John Some private correspondence of Sir John and Lady Franklin (Tasmania, 1837 - 1845): with an introd., notes and commentary by George Mackaness Sydney D. S. Ford printers 1947 Book: Recollections of Sir John and Lady Franklin in Tasmania Calder, James Recollections of Sir John and Lady Franklin in Tasmania Adelaide Sullivan’s Cove 1984 Journal Article: Searching for Franklin from Australia: William Parker Snow's Initiative of 1853 Barr, William Searching for Franklin from Australia: William Parker Snow's Initiative of 1853 1997 Polar Record 33 185 145-150 Book: A narrative of some passages in the history of Van Diemen's Land during the last three years of Sir John Franklin's administration in the Colony Franklin, J. A narrative of some passages in the history of Van Diemen's Land during the last three years of Sir John Franklin's administration in the Colony facsimile Hobart Platypus Publishers 1967 Book: Franklin: tragic hero of polar navigation Lambert, Andrew Franklin: tragic hero of polar navigation London Faber and Faber 2009 Book: Van Diemen's Land correspondents: letters from R. C. Gunn, R. W. Lawrence, Jorgen Jorgenson, Sir John Franklin and others to Sir William Hooker, 1827 - 1849 Burns, T. E.; and Skemp, J. R. Van Diemen's Land correspondents: letters from R. C. Gunn, R. W. Lawrence, Jorgen Jorgenson, Sir John Franklin and others to Sir William Hooker, 1827 - 1849 Launceston Queen Victoria Museum 1961 Book: Narrative of the overland journey of Sir John and Lady Franklin and party from Hobart Town to Macquarie Harbour, 1842: edited with introduction, notes and commentary by George Mackaness Burn, D. Narrative of the overland journey of Sir John and Lady Franklin and party from Hobart Town to Macquarie Harbour, 1842: edited with introduction, notes and commentary by George Mackaness Sydney D. S. Ford, printers 1955 Journal Article: Polar poisons: did botulism doom the Franklin expedition? Horowitz, B. Z. Polar poisons: did botulism doom the Franklin expedition? 2003 Clinical toxicology 41 841-7 Book: A very secret trade: the dark story of gentlemen collectors in Tasmania Pybus, Cassandra A very secret trade: the dark story of gentlemen collectors in Tasmania Sydney Allen & Unwin 2024 Book: Arctic labyrinth: the quest for the Northwest Passage Williams, Glyn Arctic labyrinth: the quest for the Northwest Passage London Allen Lane 2009 Journal Article: The History of the Rossbank Observatory, Tasmania Savours, Ann and McConnell, Anita The History of the Rossbank Observatory, Tasmania 1982 Annals of Science 39 527-564 Book: Dictionary of Australian biography Serle, Percival Dictionary of Australian biography Sydney Angus & Robertson 1949 Thesis: Flora Tasmaniae: Tasmanian Naturalists and Imperial Botany, 1829-1860 Cave, Eleanor Catherine Flora Tasmaniae: Tasmanian Naturalists and Imperial Botany, 1829-1860 University of Tasmania 2012 Book: In search of the last continent: Australia and early Antarctic exploration McConville, Andrew In search of the last continent: Australia and early Antarctic exploration Melbourne Australian Scholarly Publishing 2022 Book Section: Bonwick, James (1817-1906), teacher Featherstone, Guy Bonwick, James (1817-1906), teacher Melbourne Melbourne University Press 1969 Australian dictionary of biography, volume 3: 1851 - 1890 A-C Douglas Pike 190-182 Book Section: Stanley, Owen (1811-1850), naval officer West, Francis Stanley, Owen (1811-1850), naval officer Melbourne Melbourne University Press 1967 Australian dictionary of biography, volume 2: 1788 - 1850 I-Z Douglas Pike 470-471 Book: Barrow's boys Fleming, Fergus Barrow's boys London Granta Books 1889 Paul Edmund de Strzelecki - Records Mitchell and Dixson Libraries Manuscripts Collection, State Library of New South Wales Paul Edmund de Strzelecki - Records A3355, 4059 1837 - 1851 Copies of letters in French to Adyna Turno from Strzelecki 1837-51 dealing with his exploration of Gippsland and Mt Kosciusko [29cm, A3355]. Copies of Strzelecki documents c1837-52 and 1953-54 collected by Helen Heney including correspondence with J. Franklin, biographical and bibliographic information [A4059]. See also the J. Franklin papers. Ronald Campbell Gunn - Records Mitchell and Dixson Libraries Manuscripts Collection, State Library of New South Wales Ronald Campbell Gunn - Records A 316 c. 1833 - c. 1854 Includes: accounts of collecting expeditions, lists, notes, and correspondence relating to botanical specimens; narrative of an excursion into the interior of Van Diemen's Land from Launceston, January 1833, including descriptions of vegetation, the terrain, emus, and kangaroo hunting; cruise with the Franklins along the north coast of D'Entrecasteaux Channel, 10-21 December 1838; account of collecting trips for March and October 1844 and descriptions of plants with botanical names in Latin; correspondence, correspondents include Gunn, W.J. Hooker (Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew), Joseph Milligan, Joseph Allport, "Will Auhuss"? [William Archer Jnr], and discussion of legal matters relating to colonial property [possibly from Lady Franklin]; many letters commence with "My Dear Gunn" but are unsigned. One letter contains sketches of orchids Lists and notes List of plants, seeds, etc. in the Botanic Garden Melbourne Catalogue of plants received from Miss Readknight, Mr R. Burke, and Mr J.G. Robertson List of duplicates sent to Hooker, 1846 Notice on meeting to farewell Sir John Franklin, with early history of the Society Hobart Reading Room Notice on meeting to farewell Sir John Franklin, with early history of the Society SD_ILS:545773 1843 [Editor 2024-07-22: This source needs to be re-found. It is presumed to be with the archives of the Royal Soceity of Tasmania.] Paper files and Documents John Franklin - Records Mitchell and Dixson Libraries Manuscripts Collection, State Library of New South Wales John Franklin - Records ML DOC 919 1837 Letter to J. Barrow 1837. John Franklin - Records Mitchell and Dixson Libraries Manuscripts Collection, State Library of New South Wales John Franklin - Records ML DOC 918 1842 Letter to F.H. Henslow 1842. John Franklin - Records Mitchell and Dixson Libraries Manuscripts Collection, State Library of New South Wales John Franklin - Records 1830 - 1853 Microfilm of correspondence with W. Buckland, Professor of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Oxford 1830-45; correspondence with Paul Edmund de Strzelecki 1840-3; journals, papers and diaries of Sir John and Lady Franklin 1836-53 from originals in the Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge. 2 reels Microfilm John Franklin - Records National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection John Franklin - Records MS 114 1837 - 1859 Manuscript notes on a visit to South Australia, 1840. Manuscript diary of an overland tour to Sydney 1839. Extracts from letters to Sir John describing overland trip from Melbourne to Sydney, 1839 (manuscript copy). Extract from letter to her sister, Mrs. Simpkinson, describing visit to S.A., 1841, with an account of the Flinders memorial (4 p.). Sir John Franklin: manuscript copy of letter to Mrs. Simpkinson, 14 April 1839. Handwritten letter, 24 May 1842, to Count Strzelecki (4 p.) re. trip to Macquarie Harbour, 1842. Handwritten letter to Lady Franklin, 1 Jan. 1841 (6 p.). Handwritten letter, Launceston, Feb. 1837, to Sir Richard Bourke. Letter to his sister. One page from Ferguson Bibliography. 0.22 m, 3 boxes John Franklin - Records Archives Office of Tasmania John Franklin - Records 1800 - 1847 Microfilm of records of the Franklin family c1800-47 from originals held at Hopton Hall, Derbyshire, England. Microform John Franklin - Records Royal Society of Tasmania John Franklin - Records 1837 - 1868 Letters to and from the Franklins, addresses, dinner engagement book 1837-43 and miscellaneous diaries kept by Jane Franklin 1837-68 [15 cm]. 0.15 m John Franklin - Records National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection John Franklin - Records G2486 1837 - 1853 Positive microfilm of records 1837-53, part of the Franklin material in the Lefroy Bequest, Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge, England and includes a journal 1841, various papers and letters 1837-53. 1 reel Microfilm John Franklin - Records Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Community History Collection John Franklin - Records 1800 - 1847 Microfilm of letters to William Hooker, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England 1800-47 from originals held at Kew Gardens. John Franklin - Records State Library of Victoria, Australian Manuscripts Collection John Franklin - Records 1800 - 1847 Microfilm of records of the Franklin family c1800-47 from originals held at Hopton Hall, Derbyshire, England. Microform John Franklin - Records Mitchell and Dixson Libraries Manuscripts Collection, State Library of New South Wales John Franklin - Records ML MSS 1465 1845 - 1893 Miscellaneous records relating to Arctic exploration 1845-93 including papers and despatches regarding exploration 1850-52; notes and articles 1849-86 together with correspondence of J.J. Shillinglaw 1845-77; various other records including correspondence 1847-93.