James Fitzjames
@captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social
Historian Fabiënne Tetteroo MA researches Capt. James Fitzjames RN, John Barrow, & Rear-Admiral Sherard Osborn / BA Art History+MA Naval History / Collector of ephemera
In October I'll be speaking about my research at two polar history conferences. Really looking forward to it! Great line-up of speakers at both. Shackleton Autumn School in Athy, Ireland and 'Into The Ice' at Plymouth University. #polar #NavalHistory
My first academic publication has been published today: the exhibition and reception history of the painting 'The Arctic Council' (1851). This took 3 years to research and write, and I'm so happy that all can read about my findings now! doi.org/10.1017/S003... #navalhistory #polar
William O'Byrne's huge naval biographical dictionary (1849). John Barrow helped O'Byrne gain access to Admiralty papers and before publication asked to see only one biography in advance... that of his "esteemed & gallant friend" James Fitzjames. #NavalHistory
Fitzjames lecture in Abbots Langley, 11 July! My second lecture this year is in Fitzjames' home village, where I'll talk more about his childhood and family. It's in person only this time. Would be great to see you all there! Tickets can be ordered here: www.ticketsource.com/abbots-langl...
ticketsource.com
On 21 May 1836, Fitzjames' uncle Robert Coningham died & on that same day, Fitzjames almost died in a storm that wrecked one of the Steamers of the Euphrates Expedition. A poem about this sad event was published in 1840, of which I'm happy to have a copy. #NavalHistory #19thC
I'm researching the Franklin Search Expeditions & Sophia Cracroft's journals contain interesting anecdotes. Such as Horatio Austin doing the equivalent of drunk texting in 1851. [My transcription] #NavalHistory
New FitzNewsletter, about my Royal Geographical Society talk and some recent archival exploration stories: #NavalHistory #19thC jamesfitzjames.substack.com/p/fitznewsle...
FitzNewsletter
Recording of my RGS talk and more archival exploring.
jamesfitzjames.substack.com
On 27 April, I gave a talk about my research at the Royal Geographical Society. The room was sold out and so lovely to meet/talk to people! You can watch a recording of my talk. #NavalHistory #Arctic www.rgs.org/events/talks...
The life of Captain James Fitzjames | Lecture
This talk explores the roles of Captain James Fitzjames and sources that reveal a more accurate, underexplored portrait of this remarkable officer.
rgs.org
Fitzjames' father Sir James Gambier, Consul General: "Everything in Brazil is sooo expensive, I can barely survive here!! 😭" Other people: "Sir James Gambier's house & style of living surpasses that of any other person in Rio de Janeiro." 🤡
Another very interesting addition to my collection. Georgiana, Lady Chatterton's biography of her uncle Admiral Lord Gambier, which she presented to a Sir Edward with a long letter written at Smedmore, the house which has a portrait of Sir James Gambier (Fitzjames' father). #NavalHistory
Finally had a chance to visit Sherard Osborn's grave. He's in a pretty prestigious spot at Highgate. Earlier this week I saw this new to me photo of him, aged 41. [The National Archives] He died at only age 54. He was so much like Fitzjames (Sophia Cracroft agrees with me)! #NavalHistory #19thC
One of Fitzjames' childhood homes. Not too shabby! The Manor House in Abbots Langley was unfortunately demolished in 1953. #Hertfordshire #19thC
Jeremy Irons rocking up to The National Archives with his dogs, love it. His research assistants! [2006, Who Do You Think You Are UK]
Fitzjames' paternal grandfather, who died long before he was born, did not have the best reputation... #mybook #navalhistory
James Fitzjames mystery man of the Franklin Expedition? Gosh, if only there were hundreds of letters from which we could learn all about him. If only they were available. Oh wait, they have been available since 1970. (I've read & typed them all out, one day they'll all be published!) #NavalHistory
HMS St Vincent in John Barrow's 1882 journal. Fitzjames served on this ship 50 years earlier. #NavalHistory
Updated my 2021 article with pictures of the muster of HMS Excellent and Edward Couch' service record: he did NOT serve with Fitzjames before and it's all based on Fitzjames biographer Battersby confusing Couch with someone else. #NavalHistory #FranklinExpedition jamesfitzjames.com/edward-couch...
Edward Couch / Crouch
A case of mistaken identity that continues to be repeated Daguerreotype by Richard Beard, taken May 1845. Colourised by Ross Day. By Fabiënne Tetteroo25 September 2021 [edited 29 July 2022 and 19 F…
jamesfitzjames.com
Sir Leopold McClintock, Robert Falcon Scott, and Ernest Shackleton all in one photo in 1901! On the deck of the ship Discovery.[From the book 'Face to Face: Polar Portraits', 2008] #NavalHistory
Fitzjames' father Sir James Gambier being difficult in Brazil... [From my Fitzjames biography that I am writing right now]
I created & wrote a Wikipedia biography for Fitzjames' close friend & Admiralty clerk John Barrow, who was one of the loveliest men to ever live. Can't believe he didn't have a Wiki yet! I can add more info after my article & books are published. #NavalHistory en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ba...
John Barrow (civil servant) - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
Very excited to announce my talk at the @rgsibg.bsky.social !! 27 April, both in person and online. 🥳 #NavalHistory www.rgs.org/events/upcom...
I bought it here, only $22/€19! 2 left in stock, go get 'em. www.amazon.com/Awe-Arctic-V...
The Awe of the Arctic: A Visual History
The Awe of the Arctic: A Visual History [Cronin, Elizabeth, Denlinger, Elizabeth C., Fowler, Ian, Golia, Julie, Horbal, Bogdan, Keister, Jessica, Kiely, Declan D., Mustard, Maggie, Reidy, Brent, Scruggs, Dalila, Triplett, Kyle R., Viljoen, Madeleine, Vissers, Joseph, Walz, Emily] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Awe of the Arctic: A Visual History
amazon.com
James Fitzjames@captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 6mo ago'The Awe of The Arctic', a beautifully illustrated book about the 2024 exhibition at the New York Public Library that I sadly didn't get to see. Including a letter from HMS Erebus' Surgeon Stephen Stanley! Well worth getting this book. #Arctic #NavalHistory
'The Awe of The Arctic', a beautifully illustrated book about the 2024 exhibition at the New York Public Library that I sadly didn't get to see. Including a letter from HMS Erebus' Surgeon Stephen Stanley! Well worth getting this book. #Arctic #NavalHistory
A new addition to the shelf: Sir John Ross' head! Thank you Anatomical Museum Edinburgh for sharing a 3D printable file of this object. Wonder if I'm the first one to actually have it printed... I don't think it's a death mask, it says Feb. [18]21 on the back.
Some 19th century nautical books to the right and a 19th century spyglass. I told the antiques seller that I will bring the latter with me to the Arctic when/if I get to go there. #mybookshelf
Very happy to have a presentation copy of John Barrow's 1845 book about the Elizabethan Navy. He signed it to Lord Albert Conyngham whose bookplate is inside. Some of the pages are uncut, so Conyngham never read the entire book. [My collection] #19thC #NavalHistory
Admiralty wax seal on the envelope of an 1852 letter from John Barrow. Pretty! [British Library] #NavalHistory
