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Roald Amundsen

1911 Encyclopedia Britannica

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"ROALD AMUNDSEN (1872-), Norwegian polar explorer, was born at Borge, Smaalenene, Norway, July 16 1872, the son of a shipowner. He was educated at Christiania and afterwards studied medicine for two years. Later, however, he went to sea, and from 18 9 7 to 1899 served as mate on the " Belgica " with Capt. Adrien de Gerlache's Antarctic expedition. In 1901-2 he made an expedition to the Arctic regions which resulted in some valuable observations, and from 1903 to 1906 was in command of the "Gjda " on its voyage through the north-west passage between the Arctic and Pacific oceans ( see 21.953). The " Gjda " made a second Arctic expedition between 1910 and 1912. Towards the end of 1910 Amundsen started in Nansen's famous ship, the " Fram," for the Antarctic regions. The polar continent was crossed under good conditions, the weather being excellent, while the arrangements for food and transport worked without a hitch. The South Pole was reached between Dec. 14 and 17 1911, the Norwegian party thus outstripping by about a month the British expedition led by Capt. Scott ( see Antarctic Regions). In June 1918 Amundsen left Norway in the " Maud " with the intention of drifting across the Arctic ocean, but at the end of 1919 was forced to abandon the attempt ( see Arctic Regions). Capt. Amundsen has published The North-West Passage (1907), and The South Pole (1912), and has received many honours from learned societies.