| Administrative History | Mary Griffin, later Simpkinson (1794-1854) was the younger sister of Lady Franklin, second wife of the Arctic explorer Sir John Franklin, She was the youngest of three daughters of wealthy London silk weaver John Griffin and his wife Jane (nee Guillemard), who died of complications after giving birth to Mary. She married London barrister John Augustus Francis (Frank) Simpkinson in 1814. They had two sons, John Nassau and Francis Guillemard, and three daughters, Mary Louisa, Emma Jane and Marianne Jane. In 1845 her husband, who went to become a celebrated judge, was knighted, allowing her to use the title Lady Mary Simpkinson. |