James Anderson collection

The collection comprises of correspondence by Anderson to Jane, Lady Franklin regarding the British Franklin Search Expedition [Hudson's Bay Co.] 1855 (led by Anderson).

James Anderson was born on 15 January 1812 in Calcutta, India. In 1831, he left Britain to join the Hudson's Bay Company as an apprentice, later serving as a chief factor in charge of the Mackenzie River District between 1851 and 1855. In 1855, he was invited to lead the British Franklin Search Expedition [Hudson's Bay Company], organized by the company on receipt of John Rae's report of his discovery of Franklin relics in 1854. Accompanied by James Green Stewart, Anderson canoed to the mouth of Back River and searched Montreal Island, reaching Maconochie Island before turning back. Due to the poor weather conditions, unsound canoes and lack of an interpreter, the expedition added little to Rae's findings. After the expedition, Anderson resumed his post at the Hudson's Bay Company, retiring to Ontario in 1864. He died on 16 October 1867.

The correspondence is arranged alphabetically by recipient.

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The term holograph is used when the item is wholly in the handwriting of the author. The term autograph is used when the author has signed the item.

Descriptions compiled by N. Boneham, Assistant Archivist with assistance from R. Stancombe and reference to British polar exploration and research a historical and medallic record with biographies 1818-1999 by Lieutenant Colonel Neville W Poulsom and Rear Admiral John A L Myres, Savannah Publications London (2000) SPRI Library Shelf 737.2 and 'James Anderson (1812-1867)' by C Stuart Mackinnon in Arctic volume 38 number 1 March 1985 p72-73 and Arctic, exploration and development c500 BC to 1915, an encyclopaedia by Clive Holland Garland Publishing, London (1994) and Exploring Polar Frontiers, a historical encyclopaedia by William Mills San Diego and Oxford, 2003

Clive Holland Manuscripts in the Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge, England - a catalogue, Garland Publishing New York and London (1982) ISBN 0824093941.

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