Lady Jane Franklin was an unusual woman. In the late 1830s, as the wife of Van Diemen’s Land Governor Sir John Franklin, she took the opportunity to explore the new settlements and wilds of Tasmania, and undertook an overland trek from Melbourne to Sydney, astounding the public with her drive & resilience. One source suggested; her “unfeminine curiosity” lead her to investigate many places where European women had not previously ventured.
She was instrumental in setting up scientific societies and publications, and promoted the development of Hobart as the cultural hub of the colonies, at a time when it was previously only associated with it’s convict history.
(52 Mins)
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Lady Jane Franklin
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REFERENCES:
Alexander, A. (2016). The Ambitions of Jane Franklin: Victorian lady explorer. Crows Nest NSW.: Allen & Unwin.
Wellington Park Management Trust. Historical Notes of Wellington Park. Retrieved from https://www.wellingtonpark.org.au/assets/wellingtonpark_historicalnotes.pdf
Parrott, J. (2006). John and Jane Franklin Companion to Tasmanian History. Retrieved from https://www.utas.edu.au/library/companion_to_tasmanian_history/F/John%20and%20Jane%20Franklin.htm
Woodward, F. (1966). Franklin, Lady Jane (1791-1875). In Australian Dictionary of Biography (Vol. 1). Retrieved from http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/franklin-lady-jane-2065
Australian Museum. Lady Jane Franklin. Retrieved from https://australianmuseum.net.au/about/history/exhibitions/trailblazers/lady-jane-franklin/
Australian National Herbarium: Biographical notes: Sir John and Lady Jane Franklin. Retrieved from https://www.anbg.gov.au/biography/franklin-biography.html
Rahmani, G. Arctic profiles: Jane Franklin (1791-1985). Retrieved from http://pubs.aina.ucalgary.ca/arctic/Arctic36-1-102.pdf
Jane Franklin: A life on her own terms. Australian Women’s History Network [Blog]. Retrieved from http://www.auswhn.org.au/blog/jane-franklin/
Franklin Collection. Retrieved from https://eprints.utas.edu.au/view/collections/franklin.html
Franklin, J. (1839 [2002]). This errant lady : Jane Franklin’s overland journey to Port Phillip and Sydney, 1839. P. Russell (Ed.). Retrieved from https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-5174472
The Art Society of Tasmania Inc., Ancanthe Park. Retrieved from https://artstas.com.au/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=167994&module_id=400037
Marsh, J. (2013). John Rae’s Search for the Franklin Expedition. In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/to-touch-the-hand-of-franklin-reaching-across-the-beaufort-sea-feature
MV Lady Franklin. AAD: Leading Australia’s Antarctic program. Retrieved from http://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/history/transportation/shipping/lady-franklin-1983-84-1987-89
Wellington Park: Bushwalking. Retrieved from https://www.wellingtonpark.org.au/bushwalking/
Podcasts on the Franklin Expedition:
The Lost Franklin Expedition – Part 1
The Lost Franklin Expedition – Part 2
Episode 5: The Mystery of the Franklin Expedition
Replay: Inuit Testimony and the Search for Franklin’s Ships
Pics: http://www.visithobartaustralia.com.au/memorials.html
https://stors.tas.gov.au/PH11-1-5
https://jackandjude.com/trekking/eagle-creek/
Music: Intro/Exit music modified from: ‘Grand Canyon’ by LÃHSTANA DAVID [CCFM Music]