Full Name: Robert Edwin Peary
Profession: Arctic Explorer
Biography: Polar explorer and naval officer Robert Peary has been called the grand old man of polar exploration. Peary was ambitious in his efforts for fame by discovering then one of the last unknown regions on earth. In 1891 Peary became the first person to travel across Greenland and confirm that it was an island.
In 1909 on his third attempt to the north pole he claimed to have been successful and the first person to reach its geographic center. His claims contrasted with those of a former shipmate Frederick Cook who also laid claim to having been the first to reach the North Pole in April 1908 and were widely debated at the time.
However Peary's story and claim ultimately became the one most believed. This was until the 1980s when a reassessment of the two cases by The National Geographic concluded that Peary's expedition was probably 50–100 km (30–60 miles) short.
Born: May 6, 1856
Birthplace: Cresson, Pennsylvania, USA
Star Sign: Taurus
Died: February 20, 1920 (aged 63)
Historical Events
- 1908-07-06 American explorer Robert Peary sets out of his eighth arctic expedition sailing from NYC for the north pole
- 1909-04-06 North Pole almost reached by American explorers Robert Peary and Matthew Henson. Navigational errors discovered decades later in the travel log likely place the expedition a few miles short.
- 1909-09-06 New York Times headline announces American explorer Robert Peary had discovered the North Pole 5 months earlier (now thought unlikely)
Ferdinand Magellan
Jacques Cartier
James Cook
Ludwig Leichhardt
Matthew Flinders
Samuel de Champlain