John Rae and the 1854 Report on Franklin's Fate (1853–1859)

1. Rae leaves Repulse Bay to survey Boothia

   Sep 1, 1853Labels: John Rae, Repulse Bay

   • HBC Biography
   • Rae Society

2. Rae starts 1854 spring journey inland

   Mar 31, 1854Labels: John Rae, Pelly Bay

   • Rae Biography
   • Rae Society

3. Inuit report dead “white men” near Back River

   Apr 21, 1854Labels: Inuit testimony, Back River

   • Franklin Lost
   • Rae Biography
   • Smithsonian

4. Rae acquires Franklin relics from Inuit

   May 1, 1854Labels: Franklin relics, Inuit trade

   • Rae Society
   • Franklin Lost

5. Rae sends detailed report to the Admiralty

   Jul 29, 1854Labels: Rae report, British Admiralty

   • DJO Rae
   • Smithsonian

6. Rae’s findings published, sparking public backlash

   Oct 23, 1854Labels: Press publication, Public reaction

   • DJO Rae
   • DJO Voyagers
   • Smithsonian

7. Admiralty prompts Hudson’s Bay overland follow-up

   Oct 24, 1854Labels: Admiralty, Hudson's Bay

   • Nat Archives
   • Franklin Lost

8. Dickens attacks the report in Household Words

   Dec 2, 1854Labels: Charles Dickens, Household Words

   • Victorian Web
   • DJO Rae

9. Anderson and Stewart descend the Back River

   Jul 1, 1855Labels: James Anderson, James Stewart

   • PMC Article
   • Fort Reliance

10. Lady Franklin campaigns to discredit Rae

    Apr 1, 1856Labels: Lady Franklin, Campaign

    • RSGS Blog
    • Oxford JVC

11. McClintock’s Fox expedition launched to settle the fate

    Apr 18, 1857Labels: McClintock, Fox expedition

    • DBC McClintock
    • RMG Collection

12. Fox returns with documentary proof from King William Island

    Sep 1, 1859Labels: Victory Point, King William

    • DBC McClintock
    • Smithsonian