Published works exploring the doomed 1845 British Arctic Expedition led by Sir John Franklin to discover the Northwest Passage constitute a significant body of literature. These range from meticulously researched historical accounts and biographies to fictionalized narratives inspired by the expedition’s tragic fate and enduring mysteries. Examples include scholarly analyses of the expeditions planning and execution, as well as novels and poems that delve into the human drama of survival, loss, and the enduring power of the Arctic environment.
This literature provides invaluable insights into Victorian-era exploration, the challenges of Arctic navigation, and the complex relationship between British imperial ambitions and the Indigenous peoples of the Arctic. Studying these narratives offers a deeper understanding of the expedition’s historical context, the factors contributing to its disastrous outcome, and its lasting impact on our understanding of Arctic exploration and survival. They also shed light on the cultural and scientific legacy of the expedition, including its contribution to geographical knowledge and the ongoing search for its lost ships.
