About
Robert Peary, a civil engineer by training, led eight Arctic expeditions between 1886 and 1909. He determined that Greenland is an island and set several records for northern latitude. In 1909, he claimed to have reached the North Pole, a claim that has been disputed. He received the Thanks of the U.S. Congress and was promoted to Rear Admiral in 1911. He also wrote several books about his expeditions.
* 1856-05-06 — † 1920-02-20
Major works
- Northward over the Great Ice (1898)travel narrative
- Nearest the Pole (1907)travel narrative
- The North Pole (1910)travel narrative
- Secrets of Polar Travel (1917)practical guide
Key milestones
- 1892Led the North Greenland expedition that determined Greenland is an island and discovered Independence Fjord.
- 1909Claimed to have reached the North Pole on April 6, with Matthew Henson and four Inuit companions.
- 1911Received the Thanks of the U.S. Congress and was promoted to Rear Admiral.
Themes
polar explorationgeographical recordsArctic navigationsurvival in extreme environmentshistorical controversies
Sources: britannica.com · archives-manuscripts.dartmouth.edu · anb.org