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History Polar Regions

A Frenchman in Search of Franklin

De Bray's Arctic Journal, 1852-54

by (author) Emile Frédéric de Bray

translated by William Barr

Publisher
University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division
Initial publish date
Dec 1992
Category
Polar Regions, Expeditions & Discoveries, Personal Memoirs
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781442623699
    Publish Date
    Dec 1992
    List Price
    $32.95
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780802028136
    Publish Date
    Dec 1992
    List Price
    $59.00
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781442655324
    Publish Date
    Dec 1992
    List Price
    $35.95

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Description

In April 1852 Emile Frederic de Bray sailed down the Thames on board the Resolute, part of Sie Edward Belcher's Arctic Squadron in search of Sir John Franklin and his men, missing since the summer of 1845. De Bray's diaries of his years with Resolute have not been published before, in any language, and only one other account of this particular Franklin search expedition exists.

Enseigne-de-vaisseau de Bray, seconded at his own request from the French navy, was something of a rarity among those who made up the search parties: he was not British. (One of his shipmates hopes for the best: 'The Frenchman does not seem an Englishman,' he observed, 'but I suppose he will improve on acquaintance.')

Cape de Bray on the northwest coast of Melville Island commemorates the efforts of this intrepid French officer, who gained the respect of his fellows, was made an officer of the Legion d'Honneur by Napolean III, and was awarded the Arctic Medal by Queen Victoria.

William Barr provides an introduction, postscript, and extensive notes, placing de Bray and the expedition in context. This volume tells us much about the life the Europeans led in the unexplored and frozen northern waters.

About the authors

Emile Frederic de Bray (1829-1879) was a French naval officer.

Emile Frédéric de Bray's profile page

William Barr specializes in geomorphology and has, for the past thirty years, focused his research on the history of Arctic exploration. He has published fourteen books, including translations from German, French, and Russian, and more than a hundred articles. He is author of From Barrow to Boothia: The Arctic Journal of Chief Factor Peter Warren Dease 1836-1839.

William Barr's profile page