Robert Peary

Robert Edwin Peary, Sr. (May 6, 1856 – February 20, 1920) was an American explorer who claimed to have led the first expedition, on April 6, 1909, to reach the geographic North Pole. Peary's claim was widely credited for most of the 20th century, rather than the competing claim by Frederick Cook who said he got there a year earlier.

Peary was born on May 6, 1856 in Cresson, Pennsylvania. He was raised in Portland, Maine. Peary studied at Bowdoin College. He was married to Josephine Diebitsch from 1888 until his death in 1920. They had two children. Peary died on February 20, 1920 in Washington, D.C. from an illness, aged 63.

References

Other websites

The Race to the North Pole, historical periodicals at the Library of Congress
"Peary Discovers the North Pole After Eight Trials in 23 Years",  New York Times, April 6, 1909
"A Clash of Polar Frauds and Those Who Believe", New York Times, September 7, 2009
Works by Robert E. Peary at Project Gutenberg
Audiobook "The North Pole"
Peary at Findagrave

Category:1856 births
Category:1920 deaths
Category:American explorers
Category:People from Portland, Maine
Category:People from Pennsylvania