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Nobu Shirase Polar Explorers

Nobu Shirase

Nobu Shirase (1861-1946) Nobu Shirase was inspired by the tales of Franklin's search for the Northwest Passage and had a life-long passion for polar exploration. He hoped to be first to the North Pole, but his plans were de-railed by Cook's and Peary's announcements in 1909, causing him, like Amundsen,…
August 28, 2010
Harald Sverdrup Polar Explorers

Harald Sverdrup

HARALD ULRIK SVERDRUP (1888-1957) Harald Sverdrup was a Norwegian oceanographer, meteorologist and arctic explorer. He is widely recognized as the founder of the modern school of physical oceanography; was the chief scientist on Amundsen’s 1918-25 Arctic Expedition; and was the first head of the Norwegian Polar Institute. Early Life and…
August 28, 2010
Dr. Charles Swithinbank Polar Explorers

Dr. Charles Swithinbank

Dr. Charles Swithinbank (1926-2014) Dr Charles Swithinbank was an extraordinary man and a great mentor to ALE. Born in Burma (Myanmar) and raised by an adventurous mother who admonished him not to 'get stuck in a desk job', he first traveled to Antarctica as assistant glaciologist with the Norwegian-British-Swedish Antarctic…
August 28, 2010
Edward Wilson Polar Explorers

Edward Wilson

Edward Adrian Wilson ('Uncle Bill') (1872 – 1912) Edward A. Wilson was an English physician, polar explorer, natural historian, painter and ornithologist, who accompanied Captain Robert Falcon Scott to the South Pole in 1911, and died with him on the return journey. Early Years and Education Dr. Edward Adrian Wilson…
August 28, 2010
Captain Frank Worsley Polar Explorers

Captain Frank Worsley

Captain Frank Arthur Worsley (1872-1943) New Zealander Frank Worsley captained the Endurance during Sir Ernest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. He is best remembered for navigating the expedition party to safety after the Endurance was crushed by ice floes in the Weddell Sea. Worsley also took part in Shackleton's final expedition…
August 28, 2010