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 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 two-volume work remains of great interest to anthropologists, sociologists and geographers. His eye-witness accounts of the indigenous people's dwellings, hunting pursuits, birth and death rites, transportation, interpersonal relationships, and survival strategies in severe weather conditions provide an insight into Inuit culture in the nineteenth century. In Volume 2 he tells of his discovery in Frobisher Bay of artefacts from Martin Frobisher's sixteenth-century mining venture; the survival of these relics, together with his understanding of Inuit memory systems, convinces him that traces of Franklin and his crew may yet be found.

Genres: 19th Century

370 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