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The Remarkable World of Frances Barkley: 1769-1845
Frances Barkley was the first European woman to set foot on the coast of British Columbia. As a bride of seventeen, in 1786, she embarked from Europe on a round-the-world voyage of trade and exploration with her husband, Captain Charles William Barkley. During their eight years at sea, the Barkleys visited the Pacific Northwest coast twice, in search of sea otter pelts; the captain gave his name to Barkley Sound, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, and named several other places after his wife and crew.
Frances Barkley's "Reminiscences," published here for the first time, contain her descriptions of their life at sea, and visits to South America, India, China, and what is now known as Alaska and British Columbia.
Beth Hill, the well-known author, has researched and added to the "Reminiscences" a wealth of interesting detail on the Barkleys and the world of their time. "The Remarkable World of Frances Barkley 1769-1845" offers an intriguing view of the eighteenth century and of a high-spirited woman in British Columbia's past.
Frances Barkley's "Reminiscences," published here for the first time, contain her descriptions of their life at sea, and visits to South America, India, China, and what is now known as Alaska and British Columbia.
Beth Hill, the well-known author, has researched and added to the "Reminiscences" a wealth of interesting detail on the Barkleys and the world of their time. "The Remarkable World of Frances Barkley 1769-1845" offers an intriguing view of the eighteenth century and of a high-spirited woman in British Columbia's past.
232 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2003
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November 1, 2019
It was so interesting to read this book about the first European woman on BC soil. She really was remarkable - insisting on going on her husband's voyages with him, even having children along the way. She visited a lot of places and crossed the world a few times. Yes, her experiences are coloured from her European and British upbringing in the late 1700s, but it's still so interesting to see what the world was like back then. I particularly liked learning about her because of the BC history, but that was only one of her travels.
About the format - the author uses parts of Fanny's journal as well as quotes from her diary from other sources. It feels a bit scattered, but the author did well with the little that she had. This is a pretty old copy, I believe first edition, from the 1980s. There's a new version out and I'm curious to read that one and see if anything is different.
Recommended if you like history and don't mind reading things written back then (it can be tough to get through).
About the format - the author uses parts of Fanny's journal as well as quotes from her diary from other sources. It feels a bit scattered, but the author did well with the little that she had. This is a pretty old copy, I believe first edition, from the 1980s. There's a new version out and I'm curious to read that one and see if anything is different.
Recommended if you like history and don't mind reading things written back then (it can be tough to get through).
Displaying 1 of 1 review