“Book Descriptions: A genius at publicity before the term existed, Jane Franklin was a celebrity in the mid-19th century—her remarkable life included extensive travels, years as a governor's wife, and a public battle to save her husband from accusations of cannibalism In a period when most ladies sat at home with their embroidery, Jane Franklin achieved fame throughout the western world, and was probably the best traveled woman of her day. This biography traces her life from her birth in late 18th-century London, to her marriage at the age of 36, to her many trips to far-flung locations, including Russia, the Holy Land, northern Africa, America, and Australia. Once Jane Franklin married Sir John Franklin, her original ambition to live life to the full was joined by an equally ardent desire to make her kind and mild husband a success. Arriving in Tasmania in 1837 when Sir John became governor, she swept like a whirlwind through the attempting to rid the island of snakes; establishing a scientific society and the Hobart regatta; adopting an Aboriginal girl, and sending a kangaroo to Queen Victoria. She became the first white woman to travel overland from Melbourne to Sydney. When her husband disappeared in the Arctic on an expedition to discover the Northwest Passage, she badgered the Admiralty, the public, and even the President of the United States to fund trips to locate him, and then defended his reputation when remains of the expedition were located, and there were claims of cannibalism. Single-handedly she turned him from a failure into one of England's noblest heroes. She continued traveling well into her 70s and died at 84, refusing to take her medicine to the last.” DRIVE