Life with the Esquimaux: The Narrative of Captain Charles Francis Hall of the Whaling Barque George Henry from the 29th May, 1860, to the 13th ... Library Collection - Anthropology)

by Charles Francis Hall

In 1860, Charles Francis Hall (1821 71), the American polar explorer, embarked on the first of two voyages to the Canadian Arctic region aimed at investigating the fate of Sir John Franklin's lost expedition of 1847. During his time in the Arctic, Hall lived amongst the Inuit community, learning their language and embracing their everyday life. First published in 1864, Hall's recollections remain of great interest to anthropologists, sociologists and geographers. His eye-witness accounts of the indigenous people's dwellings, interpersonal relationships, hunting pursuits, birth and death rites, methods of transport, and survival strategies in severe weather conditions provide an insight into Inuit culture in the nineteenth century. Volume 1 describes Hall's journey north, arrival at Holsteinborg, the Danish administrative centre in Greenland, and onward voyage to Baffin Island, where his search for traces of Franklin, and his experience of Inuit life, began.

Genres: 19th Century

346 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1864

About the author

Charles Francis Hall (1821 - 1871)

Reviews

[Marc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classic reference for anyone interested in the Canadian arctic; particularly the eastern arctic in the Baffin, Frobisher Bay regions (near present day Iqaluit). In 1981 I participated in an archaeological dig on one of the islands near the head of the bay, passed by C. F. Hall. His descriptions of the rocky headlands of Peale Point, which he named, were apt and unmistakable 120 years later.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars