Franklin, Jane

She was the daughter of John Griffin, a London silk merchant.

In 1823 one of her friends, Eleanor Porden, married Captain John Franklin RN, then well-known as an Arctic explorer. In 18 months her friend had died leaving him with a baby daughter.

In 1828 she married Sir John Franklin RN, as his second wife.

He was appointed to a position in the Mediterannean.

She enjoyed traveling and encouraged her husband to accept the post of Lieutenant-Governor of Van Dieman Land (Tasmania).

She took an active role in the cultural and intellectual life of the colony. When her husband disappeared with his expedition in the Arctic she devoted her life to finding him and his crew – or at least news of his ultimate fate.

She sponsored the Princ Arthur 1850 and in 1851.

She sent the Isabel in 1852 and the Fox in 1857.

She received the Gold Medal of the Royal Geographic Society in 1860 in commemoration for her husband’s discoveries.Captain John Walbran wrote: "The noble-hearted widow of the great discoverer devoted many years to furthering the search for her lost husband and his comrades.

She fitted out and despatched the Prince Arthur in 1850 and again in 1851 and the Isabel in 1852 and despatched the Fox in 1857; thus through Sir Leopold McClintock, finally solving the question. The Royal Geographical Society gold medal was presented to Lady Franklin, in 1860, in commemoration of Sir John’s discoveries. As a link to Canada’s west coast he continues, "On 22 February 1861, Lady Franklin accompanied by her niece, Miss Sophia Cracroft, arrived at Victoria, and in March attended by Lieutenant Hankin, HMS Hecate visited Fort Yale, where she was enthusiastically received, and on leaving was presented with an address. On 24 March 1861, the two ladies embarked at Esquimalt for home to the strains of 'Auld Lang Syne' played by the band of HMS Topaze."

Franklin Range (Johnstone Strait, Vancouver Island BC) It was named by Captain Richards RN for Sir John and Lady Jane Franklin in 1861; Cape Jane Franklin (NT); Lady Franklin Point (NT); Lady Franklin Bay (NT); Cape Lady Franklin (NT); Jane Franklin Hall (University of Tasmania); Cracroft Island (BC) (after her neice Sophia Cracroft)