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Lot Essay
George Frankland (1800-1838) surveyor, was commissioned as ensign in the army in 1819. Sent to India with the 24th Regiment he was appointed to serve on the Earl of Colville's staff as aide-de-camp. In July 1822 he married Anne Mason, a friend of Lady Colville's. In 1826 he was promoted Lieutenant in the 67th Regiment and appointed Surveyor-General at Poona. Due to ill health he was placed on half pay and took leave to the Cape of Good Hope with his wife and daughter. He resigned his commission and returned to England in 1826, where with family influence at the Colonial Office, was appointed first assistant surveyor of Van Diemen's Land. He arrived in the colony in July 1827, after his first attempt to embark in the ship 'Harvey' was halted at Plymouth due to the unseaworthiness of the ship.
In 1828 he succeeded to the charge of the Survey Department and commenced a trigonometrical survey of Van Diemen's Land. Believing that exploration and discovery were major functions of his position he took every care to record details of the natural history of the island. His frequent absences from his office were to try Lieutenant-Governor Arthur's patience.
Frankland took part in three expeditions to the upper Derwent, the upper Huon and the central highlands in the Lake St Clair area.
Frankland was responsible for suggesting the drawing of the 'comic strip' proclamation to the Tasmanian Aborigines in 1829. It was described by James Bonwick as 'the expedition against the Aborigines on the principle of the Fine Arts'.
Frankland's term of office was troubled by criticism. He was a man of unusual sensitivity and a mountainous pride bordering on arrogance. He was challenged in 1833 by the Colonial Office about the slow progress of surveys and the production of reports and charts. He justified himself by pointing out the inaccuracies of earlier surveys, and the burden of this additional labour. His explanations were accepted.
While his responsibilities were great, geographical knowledge was extended more by Frankland's expeditions than at any other time. He completed his map of Van Diemen's Land based on incomplete triangulations, but it delineated the counties and parishes and showed the position of each settler's grant. Frankland doubted whether any English maps were as perfect as some of his charts. His map was described by under-secretary Hay as 'by far the most valuable contribution that has been received at the Colonial Office from any of the Colonies during my time'.
Frankland designed his own home, 'Secheron', at Battery Point, Hobart, now a maritime museum. He planned to take two years leave to visit Europe at the end of 1835 but was persuaded to stay until 1838. Frankland died on 30 December 1838, prior to his intended return to England. He was survived by his wife, a son and two daughters.
This portrait miniature was probably executed during Frankland's service in India. It shows a forceful and intelligent man, accomplished and professional in manner. He made a tremendous contribution to the geographical knowledge of Van Diemen's Land.
In 1828 he succeeded to the charge of the Survey Department and commenced a trigonometrical survey of Van Diemen's Land. Believing that exploration and discovery were major functions of his position he took every care to record details of the natural history of the island. His frequent absences from his office were to try Lieutenant-Governor Arthur's patience.
Frankland took part in three expeditions to the upper Derwent, the upper Huon and the central highlands in the Lake St Clair area.
Frankland was responsible for suggesting the drawing of the 'comic strip' proclamation to the Tasmanian Aborigines in 1829. It was described by James Bonwick as 'the expedition against the Aborigines on the principle of the Fine Arts'.
Frankland's term of office was troubled by criticism. He was a man of unusual sensitivity and a mountainous pride bordering on arrogance. He was challenged in 1833 by the Colonial Office about the slow progress of surveys and the production of reports and charts. He justified himself by pointing out the inaccuracies of earlier surveys, and the burden of this additional labour. His explanations were accepted.
While his responsibilities were great, geographical knowledge was extended more by Frankland's expeditions than at any other time. He completed his map of Van Diemen's Land based on incomplete triangulations, but it delineated the counties and parishes and showed the position of each settler's grant. Frankland doubted whether any English maps were as perfect as some of his charts. His map was described by under-secretary Hay as 'by far the most valuable contribution that has been received at the Colonial Office from any of the Colonies during my time'.
Frankland designed his own home, 'Secheron', at Battery Point, Hobart, now a maritime museum. He planned to take two years leave to visit Europe at the end of 1835 but was persuaded to stay until 1838. Frankland died on 30 December 1838, prior to his intended return to England. He was survived by his wife, a son and two daughters.
This portrait miniature was probably executed during Frankland's service in India. It shows a forceful and intelligent man, accomplished and professional in manner. He made a tremendous contribution to the geographical knowledge of Van Diemen's Land.