The Love-life of Dr Kane
Containing the Correspondence, and a History of the Acquaintance, Engagement, and Secret Marriage between Elisha K. Kane and Margaret Fox

The love letters of a famous US Arctic explorer and a spiritualist who married in secret, published in 1866.

Anonymous (Author)

9781108050128, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 7 June 2012

296 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.7 cm, 0.38 kg

Elisha Kane (1820–57) was a famous US Arctic explorer who fell in love with the well-known New York spiritualist Margaret Fox (1836–93). When their secret engagement was revealed, it caused much controversy and Fox was later accused of fabricating their subsequent marriage. She wanted to publish their correspondence in 1862 to clear her name, but Kane's family - who disapproved of Fox and did not believe the couple ever married - halted the book's publication and they reached a settlement. When they failed to make agreed payments to Fox, she decided to publish the letters in 1866. The subsequent volume charts the couple's courtship from its beginnings in 1852 until Kane's death, and reveals the ups and downs of their tumultuous relationship, especially Kane's desire for Fox to stop her spiritualist practices. It presents an intimate account of the romance between two prominent nineteenth-century public figures.

Introduction
Memoir
1. A new excitement in Philadelphia
2. Dr Kane's anxiety
3. Mrs Fox takes her daughters to New York
4. Visit of Mrs Fox and her daughters to Washington
5. Dr Kane's letter to Miss Kate Fox
6. Dr Kane comes to Washington
7. Return of Mrs and Miss Fox to New York
8. Dr Kane's presentiments
9. Dr Kane's illness at Mr Grinnell's in New York
10. Convalescence of Dr Kane
11. Dr Kane's correspondence with Mrs Fox
12. Mrs Fox and her family go to Rochester
13. Dr Kane escorts Mrs and Miss Fox to Philadelphia
14. Sailing of Dr Kane
15. Dr Kane's letter from Greenland to Miss Fox
16. The letters quoted show the knowledge of her betrothal
17. Letters from Dr Kane entreating Miss Fox
18. Continuance of Dr Kane's visits
19. Dr Kane's renewal of his engagement with Miss Fox
20. Dr Kane's letter to Mrs Fox
21. Miss Fox's letter
22. Return of Mrs and Miss Fox to New York
23. Dr Kane's sad forebodings.

Subject Areas: Historical geography [HBTP]