#*throws fun and unfun facts like confetti*

[littleastrobleme]

A worthwhile investment: Rejoice My Heart: The Private Correspondence of Emily Shackleton and Hugh Robert Mill, 1922-33 by Michael Rosove

I was very kindly encouraged to buy this book by several lovely folks (thanks, y'all)! It was $50 which I know isn't in everyone's budget (it's also hard to come by), so I thought I'd share some choice tidbits of Shackleton lore here (with page numbers for my reference):

-Shackleton had a common ancestor with Francis Leopold McClintock, a fellow polar explorer. (8)

-According to Ernest's sister Aimee, "he was such a sweet-tempered boy...he let the babies pull his hair...he was a beautiful child" with "fine golden hair." (9)

-"[H]e sat so lightly to the things of this world, and was big, where I am often small. I looked after small things, and they rather stifle the soul." (20-21) Emily!!!!

-Refers to Ernest in one letter as "my darling boy." (22) ouch owie

-Ernest and Emily shared a love of poetry and he would recite poems to her often. (28)

-Emily appears to have been friends with Caroline Oates, Titus's mother. (30) Her son Raymond also visited Mrs. Oates (39)

-Emily and Aimee Shackleton did NOT get along lmao (33)

-In July 1922 "I spent the morning in tears which was very foolish, but everything seemed to overwhelm me, and I did want Ernest so badly!" (34) girl your husband just died cut yourself some slack

-The James Caird "is a living sacred thing to me" and Emily was greatly offended when John Q. Rowett donated it without telling her to Dulwich College. (37)

-1912-13 "Were the least happy years of [Ernest's] life. They certainly were of mine." (44) ???

-Alexander Macklin wrote to Emily that Shackleton's death was "very sudden and merciful." (50) oof

-"[Frank Wild's] loyalty was very touching and he said that he had never been able to express his feelings as to The Boss in public as he could not do so without breaking down." (51) ouch owie my heart

-In October 1922, Frank Worsley visited the Shackletons. In the same letter Emily describes her youngest son Eddie holding his brother Raymond's hand and crying "when anyone speaks of his adored "Daddy."" (56) If I'm not mistaken Eddie was around 10 when his father died.

-Frank Wild visited Emily, didn't tell her he was engaged, and got married a few days later lol wtf (57-58)

-When Emily visited the Mills, they always sent her home on the train with sandwiches (61)

-Apparently one of Ernest's expressions was "hopping mad." (72)

-When Ernest and Emily first met, Ernest would write long poetic letters to his sister Ethel, who was friends with Emily, hoping Ethel would show Emily the letters. (74) aww

-Shackleton sucked at golf (74)

-Emily often calls Worsley Wuzzles in her letters (86)

-Apparently when they were huddling on the ice for warmth after Endurance sank, Ernest would fuss at Worsley ""Oh, go to sleep!" while wide awake himself." (86)

-"I also feel very strongly that the 4th presence was real to them, & that Ernest would not like it attributed to a clouded consciousness." (108- 109)

-Emily signs off one letter as "Emmie Shackleton." (108)

-By the early 1930s, Emily was living at Hampton Court Palace (118), where I believe she lived until her death.

I hope this has been of interest to you fine frozen folks!