Ernest Shackleton

Full Name: Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton
Profession: Polar Explorer and Sailor

Nationality:

Biography: Ernest Shackleton was a British explorer who is best known for his expeditions to the Antarctic. His most famous expedition, known as the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition (1914-1916), was an ambitious plan to cross the Antarctic continent via the South Pole.

Shackleton's ship, the Endurance, became trapped in pack ice before it could reach its starting point, stranding the crew. As the ice crushed and sank the ship, Shackleton led his crew onto the ice, where they camped for months in extreme conditions.

Once the ice began to break up, Shackleton and his crew embarked on a perilous sea journey in three small lifeboats. They reached the desolate Elephant Island where they were able to take shelter. But Shackleton recognized the island would provide no rescue, so he made a dangerous 800-mile voyage in a small boat across the tumultuous southern Atlantic Ocean to South Georgia Island, where there was a whaling station.

Shackleton's return to Elephant Island with a rescue ship is considered one of the greatest feats in exploration history. Despite the harsh conditions and multiple near-death experiences, not a single member of his crew was lost.

Throughout his career Shackleton embarked on four significant Antarctic expeditions, although he never did achieve his goal of crossing the Antarctic continent.

Born: February 15, 1874
Birthplace: Kilkea, County Kildare, Ireland, United Kingdom
Star Sign: Aquarius

Died: January 5, 1922 (aged 47)
Cause of Death: Heart attack