Contents and Arrangement
Toggle
Online

Letters to Sir John and Lady Jane Griffin Franklin, 1830 October-1844 July

1 folder
Collection Creator:
Guillemard, John Lewis (1764-1844)
Dates:
1830 October-1844 July
Located In:
Box 1, Folder 13
Extent:
1 folder
Languages:
English
Scope and Contents

Serving as her teacher when she was a child, John Guillemard was particularly close to his niece Jane Griffin Franklin (1792-1875), the second wife of naval officer, Arctic explorer, and lieutenant-governor of Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania) Sir John Franklin (1786-1847).

During Franklin's period of service in Tasmania (1837-1843), the couple did much to encourage social and intellectual development, establishing a scientific society, the Royal Society of Tasmania, and a school. The Franklins' scientific interests account for much of the content of Guillemard's letters, which include news of the latest scientific developments in Europe. For example, in his letter dating December 20, 1839, Guillemard discusses the invention of the daguerreotype process of photography. "I wish I could give you an account of a striking or amusing fact connected with the advancement of our theoretical & practical sciences. The question of the inventor of the new art of producing drawings without the eye or hand of a designer is not within my jurisdiction, but I have seen some designs on Silvered Copper which are remarkable for their precision and delicacy & which have marked the minutest lines with an accuracy superior to that of human observation and to now traced in the phatogenic [sic] lines only by high power microscopes or lenses. Nothing has been yet produced in England equal to the recent plates executed under the superintendence of Daguerre."

Guillemard's letters also relate to family matters, the political situation in England (agitation over Reform, etc.), as well as issues John Franklin was facing as lieutenant-governor of Tasmania, including Franklin's decision to dismiss his private secretary, Captain Alexander Maconochie, in 1838.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. For instances beyond Fair Use, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.

Credit this material:

Letters to Sir John and Lady Jane Griffin Franklin; John Lewis Guillemard Letters, C1492, Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Storage Note:
  • ReCAP (rcpxm): Box 1
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Faith Charlton in December 2014. Finding aid written by Faith Charlton in December 2014.

This collection was processed by Faith Charlton in December 2014. Finding aid written by Faith Charlton in December 2014.

Collection Overview

Collection Description & Creator Information

Scope and Contents

Serving as her teacher when she was a child, John Guillemard was particularly close to his niece Jane Griffin Franklin (1792-1875), the second wife of naval officer, Arctic explorer, and lieutenant-governor of Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania) Sir John Franklin (1786-1847).

During Franklin's period of service in Tasmania (1837-1843), the couple did much to encourage social and intellectual development, establishing a scientific society, the Royal Society of Tasmania, and a school. The Franklins' scientific interests account for much of the content of Guillemard's letters, which include news of the latest scientific developments in Europe. For example, in his letter dating December 20, 1839, Guillemard discusses the invention of the daguerreotype process of photography. "I wish I could give you an account of a striking or amusing fact connected with the advancement of our theoretical & practical sciences. The question of the inventor of the new art of producing drawings without the eye or hand of a designer is not within my jurisdiction, but I have seen some designs on Silvered Copper which are remarkable for their precision and delicacy & which have marked the minutest lines with an accuracy superior to that of human observation and to now traced in the phatogenic [sic] lines only by high power microscopes or lenses. Nothing has been yet produced in England equal to the recent plates executed under the superintendence of Daguerre."

Guillemard's letters also relate to family matters, the political situation in England (agitation over Reform, etc.), as well as issues John Franklin was facing as lieutenant-governor of Tasmania, including Franklin's decision to dismiss his private secretary, Captain Alexander Maconochie, in 1838.

Collection History

Appraisal

No materials were separated during 2014 processing.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Faith Charlton in December 2014. Finding aid written by Faith Charlton in December 2014.

This collection was processed by Faith Charlton in December 2014. Finding aid written by Faith Charlton in December 2014.

Access & Use

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. For instances beyond Fair Use, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

Credit this material:

Letters to Sir John and Lady Jane Griffin Franklin; John Lewis Guillemard Letters, C1492, Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Location:
Firestone Library
One Washington Road
Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
(609) 258-3184
Ask Us a Question
Visit Us
Storage Note:
  • ReCAP (rcpxm): Box 1