Born April 16, 1786,
Spilsby, Lincolnshire, England
Died June 11, 1847,
Near King William Island, British Arctic Islands

Sir John Franklin’s interest in geography and exploration began when as a teenager he went on a voyage to Australia with his uncle, the explorer Matthew Flinders (see entry). Franklin would later command three expeditions to the Arctic in search of the Northwest Passage. England honored him with a knighthood, but he also knew disgrace when he was relieved of the governorship of Tasmania. He died after his party became stranded in the Arctic during his third expedition.

Joins navy at early age

John Franklin was born in the village of Spilsby in Lincolnshire, England. At the age of 14 he entered the Royal Navy as a volunteer and fought in the Battle of Copenhagen during the Napoleonic Wars. Shortly thereafter, in 1801, he accompanied Matthew Flinders, who was his uncle by...