Lady Franklin's Revenge

by Ken McGoogan

When Sir John Franklin disappeared into the Arctic in 1845, it was his adventurous wife, Jane Franklin, who kept the search for him alive and, as a result, contributed more to the discovery and mapping of the North than any explorer. A third masterful biography from historian Ken McGoogan, Lady Franklin’s Revenge is the richly documented story of a complex, ambitious Victorian—arguably the greatest woman traveller of the 19th century— and the transformation of a failed expedition into a triumphant legend. A Globe and Mail Book of the Year, and shortlisted for the Ontario Libraries Evergreen Award, Lady Franklin’s Revenge is an exquisitely illustrated epic adventure.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Biography Memoir, Canada, Nautical, Womens

468 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2005

Reviews

[Ronald Kelland · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story, nay I say legend, of the Franklin Expedition is one of the greatest mysteries of Canadian history. The disappearance of Sir John Franklin, his ships and crew while searching for the North West Passage in what would become the Canadian arctic has fascinated and intrigued scholars and dilettantes for more than a century. Lesser known is the role played by Lady Jane Franklin. She wasted no effort to find her husband and to solidify his place in exploration history, arguably creating the legend of Franklin that so fascinates us today. The results of Jane Franklin’s quest resulted in numerous voyages to the north that would not otherwise have happened. While these voyages were largely unsuccessful in finding Franklin, they were responsible for the discovery and mapping of most of the arctic archipelago. McCoogan, who has made arctic exploration and the Franklin Expedition his life’s work, tries to reveal to the world who Lady Jane Franklin was – a woman perhaps out of her time – a world traveller in a period where women were supposed to stay quietly at home, intelligent, opinionated, forceful and vengeful. She is equally inspirational and fascinating as she is frustrating and exasperating, but at the end of it all, she is clearly her own person. McCoogan’s book is everything that a work of popular history should be. It is well researched and documented, yet it remains a page-turner. This is a book that should interest anyone interested in Canadian history, Franklin and the arctic as well as those interested in the social history of Victorian Age England. “Lady Franklin’s Revenge” is a delightful read and an in depth examination of an interesting historical figure who has lived in the shadow of her famous husband for too long.

[Woolfhead · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. By reading about Franklin's expeditions to the Arctic and the search parties, I knew a little bit about Jane Franklin. I was most fascinated by her extensive world travels at a time when most British aristocrats thought going to continental Europe was a huge adventure. A thoughtful and balanced portrait of a very strong personality - McGoogan, I think, manages to present the facts in a neutral manner when it comes to the more unpleasant aspects of her biography.

[Madeleine · Rating 4 out of 5]

So everyone who read the title assumed this was some historical murder mystery, and I don't know about "revenge" as being a theme here either, but it's safe to say Lady Jane was 10000% more interesting than her late husband, and rightly deserving of McGoogan's focus. Him being Rae's #1 fan, I thought he did pretty well at making this a measured account of both her achievements and her personal flaws. Now, like, obviously she was not the most radical woman in Victorian England by any reasoning (she's very respectable, very rich and very Tory, super well-connected, like personally friendly with Queen Vic etc)... however, even acknowledging that, McGoogan is bang on when he calls her remarkable. She travelled more than probably any Victorian woman did, definitely climbed more mountains, could Lady Macbeth any respectable gentleman into doing her bidding, was a supremely formidable 83-year-old widow, and the history of British arctic exploration would be NOTHING without her.

Other quick notes:
- I was glad to get a more in-depth narrative of all the Van Diemen's Land scandal.
- McGoogan's still angry about "forged the last link with their lives".
- Apparently Lady Franklin was once or twice mistaken for Eliza Hamilton lol.
- Apparently some people?? thought that she and Sophy Cracroft (her niece) were in a lesbian relationship? hoo boy I wish we had time to unpack all that
- Jane Franklin refers to adorable French-lieutenant-who-drowned-in-the-arctic Joseph René Bellot as "my son", and guess what? So do I. Well done Jane.
- This sentence, Ken. 'When [Dickens] was done, in the only realm that mattered - that of reputation - John Rae was deader than Jane Franklin's late husband.'
- I find it hilarious how, thanks to Jane, all John Franklin had to do was fail at everything he put his mind to and die and get a bunch of statues built of him. Put up a statue of Jane for having to deal with such a mediocre husband, you Victorian fools!
- I'll stop now.

[Catwalker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-researched and entertainingly written biography of a bold and unusually independent woman, Jane Griffin, who married Sir John Franklin, the arctic explorer. Jane was possibly the best-travelled woman of her generation. She had toured extensively in Europe before her marriage, and later had the opportunity to explore Egypt and the middle east while her husband was posted to the Mediterranean. She accompanied him to what was then Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania) when he was appointed Governor of the penal colony there. Later in life (1860-62), she sailed to the Americas, visiting many places in North and South America, rounding Patagonia, and continuing up the west coast past San Francisco to Vancouver Island and the BC mainland. Returning to San Francisco, she made a side trip to the Sandwich Islands (now Hawaii). The US Civil War made it impossible to return to New York cross-country, so she sailed across the Pacific, stopping in Japan, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, returning home along the familiar route around the Cape of Good Hope.
Aside from her own travel, Jane Franklin sent many expeditions in search of Sir John Franklin when his own disappeared while in search of the Northwest Passage. Initially, she talked the British Navy into sending ships in search of Franklin, and later funded others herself. The result was that by 1859, both the archipelago and some of the larger rivers of the Canadian arctic were extensively explored and mapped.
The book draws on the journals of Jane Franklin and her niece (and travelling companion), giving more candid perspective as well as the personal observations and reactions of Lady Franklin and those around her.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for the writing and research. 3.5 stars for the subject matter. She is a brilliant woman but her obsessive interest and self-interest is just not very interesting from page 250 or so onwards. I guess that would be the case for most narratives on single-minded pursuits? The book seems to me so thorough I am satisfied in not needing to seek out any other material about Jane Franklin. It got dull from me when slur campaigns began - something I strongly dislike. Starting with Montagu’s attacks of the Franklins around page 200. Having listened to a biography about Roget it appears their style of travelogue is similar - a recording of dry facts and figures rather than social commentary. It is no wonder she admired Roget. Unfortunately as a woman who wanted to do things finding a man who shared her talents or improved her compassion and sensibilities fell to the wayside in favor of a husband who could listen to a woman. That was the most valuable point I got from this book… to choose one’s spouse wisely.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really interesting book about a remarkable woman. Not a lot about the Franklin expedition beyond the searches for him - but truly a biography of his wife. If you're looking for expedition stuff this isn't the book for you.

Lady Jane is a complicated woman. I felt sorry for her as an ambitious, highly intelligent woman who was trapped by the time period in which she lived - relegated to a secondary role. But she knew how to work the system. She was undoubtedly the most well traveled European woman of her age. The over all impression I got of her was that she was not particularly likable and yet powerful people bent over backwards to do her bidding.

While her husband really didn't discover the North-west Passage her funding of numerous expeditions to find him did more for the mapping of Canada's north than her husband did in his two failed arctic expeditions.

[Joanna Kafarowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although she never visited the North, Lady Jane Franklin (1791-1875) remains a prominent figure in polar history. Following the disappearance of her husband Sir John Franklin and his two ships the HMS Erebus and Terror, Lady Franklin was instrumental in initiating and personally sponsoring many expeditions in an effort to discover what had happened to her husband. Devoting over twenty years to this cause, she used her formidable networking skills and influence to convince the British Admiralty to solve the mystery of the Franklin Expedition’s fate. Ken McGoogan’s absorbing biography captures the stifling societal constraints by which women of Lady Franklin’s class and time were bound and aptly demonstrates the complex extraordinary nature of this unusual woman.

[Kate M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this book. Lady Franklin was clearly a strong willed and adventurous woman at a time when the lives of women were very circumscribed. Although she probably could be very irritating as well and was very class conscious. Even before marrying John Franklin (who later lost his life searching for the Northwest Passage), she was extremely well traveled. She largely traveled solo (along with a couple of servants, of course). And in many ways she contributed far more to the discovery and mapping of the far north than her husband, due to the endless demands and money she spent on the search for her husband after he disappeared.
A well written book and an interesting insight into the life of upper class Victorian life.

[Loretta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This got off to a slow start, but once Lady Jane and Sir John were in Van Diemen's land (Tasmania) I was captivated. And Lady Jane's extraordinary efforts to continue the search for Franklin, and then to dictate the way history would remember him, was truly fascinating. She was a woman who, born in 1968, would have been president of a huge succesful company...or possibly Hilary Clinton. Instead, she was percieved as an uppity woman, and learned to work within the Victorian world through male surrogates carrying out her wishes. I found this a fascinating read, and also learned a lot about Arctic exploration and the stories of many familiar names (Rae, Beaufort, Stanley...)

[Rtrv2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good biography of an interesting character. It covers the Franklin expedition, but the ups and downs in the life of Jane Franklin are fascinating in their own right. From the wealth of primary sources, including her own diaries, she comes across as progressive but somewhat flawed, privileged and prone to temper tantrums.

Apart from all the material on Arctic exploration, the account of the Franklins' experiences in Tasmania is also very well-written and was totally new to me.

This is a very detailed and even-handed biography and I expect that it will stand the test of time. A very nice find!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a Tasmanian who lives near the township of Franklin, who enjoys history and biographies, and who had the pleasure and privilege of meeting the author following an address he delivered in Hobart, I was eager to read his books. Ken McGoogan is a great storyteller! I was not disappointed. Lady Jane Franklin was a quite formidable woman - adventurous, courageous, vulnerable, ambitious, tender, independent. I enjoyed discovering this woman who is something of an icon in this part of the world!!

[Reader Rob B · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re going on a long adventure and there is no cell phones or helicopters to text or come looking for you - you want to be married to this gal. Once hubby John was overdue for his three year sojourn around the Arctic, Lady Jane became the festering thorn in the side of the British admiralty. SHE DOES NOT KNOW WHEN TO QUIT. Another awesome book by Ken McGoogan. My 5 out of 5 rating is for Ken - not Jane!

[Anna Pearce · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far, I really like this book's tone and voice, but every time I open it up all I can think of is "Wow, this is such a Romance Novel title". (Friends think it's a murder mystery.)

However, it's a book about the exploration of the Arctic, and is about the life of Jane Franklin, wife of the man who "discovered" the Northwest Passage.

[Sarah Harkness · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although some of this book seemed to have been written for complete newcomers to history, I mostly enjoyed it - a fascinating story. And what an INCREDIBLE woman she was - fell out with all her family, including her father, but never gave up. and the travelling she did into her 70s is inspirational!

[Liz Leroux · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provides a fascinating look at the very determined and indomitable Lady Jane Franklin, wife of Sir John Franklin, Artic explorer. While I thoroughly enjoyed reading about this spirited woman, the book gets bogged down in detail to the point that I rejoiced when I finally finished it!

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

It would be tempting to portray Lady Franklin as a spoiled social-climber, but McGoogan manages to show her as a well-educated, adventurous and determined woman. He shows that she was of her time but definitely not your average Victorian woman.

A lot of background material in the notes but the maps are not very readable.

[Jen Juenke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having been obsessed about the Franklin Expedition, my dear husband bought me this book to complement my knowledge.
I have to say that I thought that the author did a great job in trying to be fair and balanced in his research of Lady Franklin.
I learned a lot of new things and it gave me a deeper appreciation of Sir John Franklin.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, what a gal! She was a true explorer of her time. Lots of chutzpah right up until the end. The biography explores her accomplishments and uses her diaries and letters to try to get at her motives, but since much of her own diary is self-censored, much is left to the imagination.

[Wortumdrehung · Rating 3 out of 5]

An awful title and even worse marketing for an interesting biography, covering both a history of arctic discovery and a highly unconventional woman's life during most of the 19th century. Well written but full of details, getting somewhat tiresome during the latter part of the book.

[Carolyn Dobbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read multiple books as well as investigational insights into the Franklin saga. This was a very good read, but dragging at times. A long read, with good insight into lady Jane, her drive and determination.

[Lezley · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amazing look at the life of Lady Jane Franklin, world traveler, writer, and well-connected fund raiser who devoted her last decades to ensuring her husband (Sir John) was credited with discovering the Arctic Northern passage.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read...biography/history about a woman very ahead of her time!

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly amazing Victorian woman - an explorer in her own right!

[Taline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating story about a most indomitable woman!

[Judy Brunton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for the history of John Franklin's voyage to the Northwest Passage but I found so much more. Lady Franklin was a remarkable woman and deserved to be written about in depth.

[Alex Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

the age-old historical question: were these two women a surrogate mother-daughter situation, lesbians, extremely codependent, or simply all three

[Tamara Campo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting.

[Gossymotto · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you ever wonder how history gets written, this book will explain a lot. Lady Franklin was an incredible woman and not necessarily in a good way, but maybe in a good way. It just depends on what angle you approach from. She was definitely successful in twisting stories and narratives to fit her desires. Sir John Franklin did not discover the Northwest Passage, but every monument the Lady Franklin had erected includes the inscription that he had. Some guy named Rae (can't even remember his first name now), discovered it. No, wait. Rae found that the Franklin men resorted to cannibalism and McClure was the one that discovered the Passage, I think. Hell, I may as well stick with Franklin after all the effort Lady Jane went through. She was quite the chess player and no one can take that away. She makes Hilary Clinton look like and Amateur, haha.

[Mary]

I think I was introduced to Lady Franklin in the book about 19th century women explorers. I enjoyed the first part of this book about her romances and wanting to avoid spinsterhood but don’t think I want to read about all the failed attempts to explore the Arctic and her efforts to make sure no one thought her husband’s group resorted to cannibalism. Even Charles Dickens got involved defending Lord Franklin.. Wikipedia may be enough for me to read about this intrepid woman!

[Alan Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great biography...and I do urge you to read "Fatel Passage" by "ken McGoogan "which is a 5🌟 star read it goes into more depth of Franklin’s ill fated voyage and the hero explorer John Rae.

Certainly lady Franklin shows that she was of her time but definitely not your average Victorian woman.

Highly recommended.