Franklin, correspondence

This material is held atScott Polar Research Institute Archives, University of Cambridge

  • Reference
    • GB 15 Sir John Franklin/Correspondence
  • Dates of Creation
    • 1801-1845
  • Name of Creator
  • Physical Description
    • 5 letter books, 254 letters Some of the letters are on microfilm

Scope and Content

  • MS 248/276;D Letter book, 24 April 1819 to 23 May 1821 [Preparations and progress of Arctic land expedition] holograph
  • MS 248/281/1;BJ Letter book, 26 November 1823 to 12 May 1825 [Written and received up to departure from Fort William to Lake Superior] 1 volume, holograph
  • MS 248/281/2;BJ Letter book, 16 June 1825 to 23 November 1826 [Written and received after departure from Fort William] 1 volume, holograph
  • MS 248/287/1-2;BJ Letter books (2), 13 February 1831 to 29 July 1832 and 8 August 1832 to 26 January 1833 [In HMS Rainbow, Mediterranean] 2 volumes, holograph
  • MS 248/284;D Letter (copy) to Lord High Admiral, 17 June 1828 [Stating plans for completion of survey of northern coast of America] 2 leaves, holograph
  • MS 248/326;D Letter (fragment) to Great Britain, [Admiralty] [October 1820] [Written during British Naval Exploring Expedition, 1819-1820] holograph
  • MS 962;MJ Letter to Sir Joseph Banks, 7 May [18181], microfilm
  • MS 248/294;D Letter (draft) to John Barrow Sr, 8 April 1822 [From Great Slave Lake, enclosing report to Henry Goulburn on Robert Hood's death and other events] holograph
  • MS 1162/1-2;D Letters (2) to Sir Francis Beaufort, 1825-1826 [Account of early stages of the British Naval Exploring Expedition, 1825-1827] 8 leaves, holograph (Xerox)
  • MS 438/18/1-2;D Letters (2) to Francis Beaufort, 6 October to 6 November 1832, holograph
  • MS 489/3/1;D Letter to Francis Beaufort, 12 November 1839 [Regarding Captain Maconochie, Van Diemen's Land] 4 leaves, photostat
  • MS 248/295/1-3;D Letters (3) to Francis Beaufort, 17 February 1840 to 23 May 1843 [News from Van Diemen's Land] 5 leaves, holograph
  • MS 962;MJ Letter to Rear Admiral Bowles, 20 February 1845, microfilm
  • MS 248/296/1-20;D Correspondence (20 letters) with Robert Brown, 18 August 1814 to 9 July 1845 [Regarding Arctic exploration, death of Matthew Flinders, Van Diemen's Land, Colonial Office, Harry Goodsir] 22 leaves, holograph
  • MS 248/297;D Letter (copy) to De Witt Clinton (Governor of York), 24 October 1825 [Account of decent of Mackenzie River] 2 leaves, holograph
  • MS 248/298/1-20;D Letters (20) to Isabella Cracroft (Sister), 30 April 1806 to 11 July 1845 [Mainly regarding voyage of HMS Trent, overland Arctic expeditions and Northwest passage expedition, 1845] 23 leaves, holograph
  • MS 962;MJ Letter to Sophia Cracroft, 3 June 1845 [In HMS Erebus] microfilm
  • MS 962;MJ Letter to Sophia Cracroft, 3 June 1845 [In HMS Erebus] microfilm
  • MS 248/299;D Letter to Captain Epworth, 19 July 1811 [Desire to serve on Frigate] holograph
  • MS 1488/1;BJ Letters (8) to William Henry Fitton, May 1824 to May 1829 [Letters include, long letter from Fort Franklin summarising his second overland expedition to date, invitation to serve as his supporter (along with John Richardson at his wedding to Jane Griffin, acceptance of invitation to attend a meeting with Fitton, Babbage, Herschel and four others to discuss the promotion of Babbage's calculation machine] 1 volume, holograph
  • MS 248/300;D Letter to Mrs Ann Flinders (widow of Mathew), 19 June 1824 [Regarding Arctic expeditions] copy
  • MS 248/301;D Letter to Robert Merrick Fowler, 22 June 1811 [Reference to Mathew Flinders] holograph
  • MS 248/302/1-8;D Letters (8) to Elizabeth Franklin (sister), 18 October 1802 to 22 June 1837 [Various topics] holograph and copies
  • MS 248/303/1-86;D Letters (86) to Jane Franklin (wife), 11 May 1829 to 2 April 1845 [Last few letters deal with preparations for his final expedition] 170 leaves, holograph
  • MS 489/3/2;D Letter to Jane Franklin (wife), 1 March 1841 [Regarding emigrant vessel Lady Megent] 2 leaves, photostat
  • MS 248/304/1-4;D Letters (4) to parents, 11 March 1801 to 14 June 1819 [In HMS Polyphemus, HMS Investigator and from Stromness] copies
  • MS 248/305;D Letter to Willingham Franklin (brother), 8 April 1822 [From Great Slave Lake regarding the British Naval Exploring expedition, 1819-1822] holograph
  • MS 248/306/1-5;D Letters (5) to George Gipps (Governor of new South Wales), 19 July 1838 to 27 July 1841 [Regarding transportation to the colonies] 5 leaves, holograph
  • MS 248/307;D Letter to John Griffin (father-in-law), 18 May 1845 [In HMS Erebus, Greenhithe] holograph
  • MS 489/3/3-5;D Letters (3) to Ronald Campbell Gunn, 16 September 1840 to 19 July 1842 [Regarding Van Diemen's Land] photostat
  • MS 248/308;D Letter to the father of Robert Hood, 23 October 1822 [Regarding the death of his son Robert] holograph
  • MS 248/309;D Letter to [Herbert] Jones, 20 February 1845 [Regarding Jones's conduct as Solicitor General of Van Diemen's Land] holograph
  • MS 248/310;D Letter to the mother of E N Kendall, 9 June 1828 [Regarding her son's good conduct during the British Naval exploring expedition, 1825-1827] holograph
  • MS 248/311;D Letter to Reverend H D Leeves, 2 November 1834 [General news] holograph
  • MS 341/3/1-3;D Letters (3) (copies) to Admiral George McKinley, 17 June 1828 to [1834], 3 leaves, typescript
  • MS 951;D Letters (10), to Robert McVicar, and George Back, undated [Written by Franklin and Sir John Richardson] 21 leaves, typescript (Xerox)
  • MS 248/225/1-3;D Letters (3) to Roderick Impey Murchison, 6 November 1825 to 19 November 1842 [Regarding progress of British Naval Exploring Expedition, 1825-1827, Corfu geology and politics] 3 leaves, holograph
  • MS 248/312;D Letter to John Murray, 24 June 1828 [Regarding publication of his narrative of a second expedition to the shores of the polar sea] holograph
  • MS 1240;D Letter to Dr C H Parry, 29 October 1824 [Account of his preparations for the British Naval Exploring expedition, 1825-1827] holograph
  • MS 438/18/3-7;D Letters (5) to Sir William Edward Parry, 11 August 1822 to 10 July 1845, holograph
  • MS 248/313;D Letter (draft) to Sir William Edward Parry, 24 November 1823 [Views on the North west passage] holograph
  • MS 184;D Letter to Sir William Edward Parry, 18 January 1836 [Regarding Parry's position as Poor law commissioner in Norfolk]
  • MS 1020/1;D Letter to John Richardson, 21 September 1826 [Details of western party during the summer and belief in Northwest passage, British Naval Exploring expedition, 1825-1827] 4 leaves, holograph (Photocopy)
  • MS 248/314;D Letter to John Richardson, 7 July 1845 [From Whalefish Islands discussion of prospects and plans for HMS Erebus and HMS Terror voyage] 3 leaves, copy
  • MS 248/315;D Letter (draft) to George Ross, 1 March 1838 [Declining Ross's invitation to serve on committee for construction of new harbour on Bristol channel] holograph
  • MS 1524;D Letter to Sir James Clark Ross, 25 March 1834 [See MS 248/467/3 for reply] 3 leaves, electrostat and transcription
  • MS 248/316/1-25;D Letters (25) to James Clark Ross, 9 September 1840 to 9 July 1845 [Regarding Van Diemen's Land, Antarctic expeditions of Ross and Charles Wilkes, preparations for his last Arctic expedition] 41 leaves, holograph
  • MS 248/317;D Letter (draft) to Lord John Russell, 18 February 1840 [Recommendation of Henry Elliott, his former private secretary] holograph
  • MS 248/323;D Letter to the Empress Mother of Russia, 16 November 1828 [Accompanies presentation copies of his Narrative for two Arctic expeditions] holograph
  • MS 248/318/1-2;D Letters (2) to Sarah Sellwood (Sister), 19 September 1810 to 2 December 1823 [Regarding plans for British Naval Exploring Expedition, 1825-1827] copies
  • MS 248/319;D Letter to Mary Simpkinson (sister-in-law), 14 April 1839 [Regarding Van Diemen's land] holograph
  • MS 248/320;D Letter (draft) to Reverend Edward Stanley, May 1835 [Testimonial to Stanley's son Owen Stanley] holograph
  • MS 248/321/1-2;D Correspondence with Lord Stanley (Secretary of State or the Colonies, 10 May to 29 August 1844 [Including letter from Stanley to Franklin] holograph and autograph
  • MS 1121/2;D Letter to Swinburne, 11 April 1832 [In Rainbow, regarding life in Corfu] holograph
  • MS 248/322;D Letter to Tricoupi (Greek ambassador in London), 1 February 1835 [Regarding Order of the Redeemer] holograph
  • MS 1121/1;D Letter to Lieutenant W Walford RN, 27 August 1812 [In HMS Bedford regarding promotion] 4 leaves, holograph
  • MS 489/3/6;D Letter to Henrietta Wright (sister), 9 March 1837 [Regarding Van Diemen's Land] 4 leaves, photostat
  • MS 1229/1;D Letter to Anne, 16 May 1832 [Personal news] holograph
  • MS 248/324;D Letter (draft), to unknown correspondent, undated [Regarding observations made with new altitude instruments] holograph
  • MS 248/325;D Letter (draft) to unknown correspondent, 24 November 1818 [On scientific observation of the Trent expedition] holograph
  • MS 248/327;D Letter to unknown correspondent, 5 June [1824] [Regarding an application for the British Naval Exploring Expedition, 1825-1827] holograph
  • MS 248/328;D Letter (draft) to unknown correspondent, [7 May 1829] [Regarding offer of post and wish for naval appointment] holograph
  • MS 248/329;D Letter (draft) to unknown correspondence, [1834/35] [Declining to accept Greek Order of the Redeemer] holograph
  • MS 248/330;D Letter (draft) to unknown correspondent, [1838] [Regarding his dismissal of Alexander Maconochi] holograph
  • MS 962;MJ Letters (12) from or related to Sir John Franklin, 1818 to 1869 [From John Richardson, John Franklin, E J Gell, Jane Franklin] microfilm

Administrative / Biographical History

The correspondence contains numerous letters to Franklin's second wife Jane, Lady Franklin including those written in the early stages of the British Naval Northwest Passage Expedition, 1845-1848. There are also letters to or about his fellow explorers, Flinders, Parry, Richardson, Back and to the father of the murdered Robert Hood.

Arrangement

The correspondence is arranged alphabetically by recipient

Related Material

Correspondence by Franklin can be found amongst the Back and Richardson Voss collections held at the Institute.

  • MS 395/41/1-20;BL FRANKLIN JOHN Letters (20) to George Back, 1828-1839 [Regarding expeditions, personal news, James Clark Ross, general news] 20 leaves, holograph
  • MS 395/70/1-5;BL FRANKLIN JOHN Letters (5) to George Back, 1819-1822 [Written during the British Naval Exploring Expedition, 1819-1822] 7 leaves, holograph
  • MS 395/74/1-28;BL FRANKLIN JOHN Correspondence (28 letters and memoranda) with George Back, 1825-1827 [Regarding the British Naval Exploring Expedition, 1825-1827] 34 leaves, holograph
  • MS 1503/5/4 FRANKLIN JOHN Letter to John Richardson [Re latter's narrative Support from Linney Barrow and himself] London 11 August 1823
  • MS 1503/2/6 FRANKLIN JOHN Letter to John Richardson [Cumberland House, describing journey] 31 March 1820
  • MS 1503/3/1 FRANKLIN JOHN to Dr R Mr Stuart (senior partner of the HB Col) [Satisfactory intelligence from Great Stone Lake (Great Slave?) Red Knives, continued warfare with Esquimaux, Chipweyan no knowledge of country. Beating up for volunteers, shoes, Mr Stuart]
  • MS 1503/5/5 FRANKLIN JOHN Letter to John Richardson [Thanks remembrances from wife (Eleanor Porden) Visiting at Keal Mr Francis a botanist, Clark transferred and new Governor appointed] Keal 17 September 1823
  • MS 1503/5/11 FRANKLIN JOHN Letter to John Richardson [Delighted by receipt of portrait, Murray asking for portraits of JR, Hepburn, Back and Franklin at his own expense, preparations for next expedition Franklin has seen Mr McIntosh Colonial Office] 7 February 1824
  • MS 1503/6/11 FRANKLIN JOHN Letter to John Richardson [Giving Admiralty direction to despatch Dr R Mr Kendall and 10 men to examine intermediate coast between Mackenzie and Coppermine] Entrance to Esquimaux Lake Mackenzie River 3 July 1826
  • MS 1503/6/15 FRANKLIN JOHN Letter to Secretary of State [About Natural History collection made by 0fficers of the Expedition under his command] 55 Devonshire Street Portland Place 29 October 1827
  • MS 1503/7/1 FRANKLIN JOHN Letter to John Richardson [Just received from Treasury 300 to assist in defraying the expenses of the Natural History publication]
  • MS 1503/9/16 FRANKLIN JOHN Letter to John Richardson [Congratulations on approaching marriage with Mary Booth Remarks on proposed expedition in search of Ross] Patras 6 October 1832
  • MS 1503/11/5 FRANKLIN JOHN Letter to Lady Franklin [at Patras] [Last illness of brother James] Greenwich 30 July 1834
  • MS 1503/12/5 FRANKLIN JOHN Letter to John Richardson [Severe illness of brother James] Greenwich 10 July 1834
  • MS 1503/12/6 FRANKLIN JOHN Letter to John Richardson [Announcing death of his brother James] 2 Park Terrace Maze Hill Greenwich 2 September 1834
  • MS 1503/13/1 FRANKLIN JOHN Letter to John Richardson [Mary's health gives anxiety] 21 Bedford Place Russell Square 30 January 1835
  • MS 1503/13/7 FRANKLIN JOHN Letter to John Richardson [Visit to Ireland Asks after Mary and Franklin's health Has been to Back and looked at his charts] 21 Bedford Place 9 December 1835
  • MS 1503/14/1 FRANKLIN JOHN Letter to John Richardson [Being where a frank can be procured Hannah had written about the stewardship vacant by death of Langton Brackenbury] Admiralty 4 January 1836
  • MS 1503/74/6 FRANKLIN JOHN Letter to Mrs Willingham Richardson [Thanks for letter with photograph] North 16 August 1868
  • MS 1503/14/12 FRANKLIN JOHN Power of Attorney for John Richardson 20 August 1836
  • MS 1503/17/2 FRANKLIN JOHN Letter to John Richardson [Congratulations on appointment to Haslar Hopes duties win not interfere with natural history Thanks for copies of insects Mary F to be married Hopes to establish schools Sends thanks to Sir John Herschel for his letter from the Cape] Government House Van Diemen's Land 22 May 1838
  • MS 1503/26/1 FRANKLIN JOHN Letter to John Richardson [Report about Montagu] 28 January 1843
  • MS 1503/30/1 FRANKLIN JOHN Letter to John Richardson [References to family and friends Allusions to affairs at Van Diemen's Land] 21 Bedford Place 17 January 1845
  • MS 1503/30/2 FRANKLIN JOHN Letter to Josephine Richardson 5 April 1845
  • MS 1503/30/8 FRANKLIN JOHN Letter to John Richardson [On death of Mary Richardson] Brighton 12 April 1845