What did Matthew Henson and Peary?
Matthew Alexander Henson (August 8, 1866 – March 9, 1955) was an American explorer who accompanied Robert Peary on seven voyages to the Arctic over a period of nearly 23 years. Their first Arctic expedition together was in 1891–92. Henson served as a navigator and craftsman, and was known as Peary’s “first man”.
What are some important facts about Matthew Henson?
Matthew Henson may have been the first person to stand at the North Pole. He reached the Pole as a member of an expedition to the Arctic led by the explorer Robert E. Peary in 1909. Matthew Alexander Henson was born in Maryland on August 8, 1866.
How did Henson and Peary make it to the North Pole?
In 1906 with the support of President Theodore Roosevelt, Peary and Henson managed to get within 174 miles of the North Pole by ship using a state-of-the-art ice breaker. On the three-masted steam-powered schooner called the Roosevelt, Peary and Henson made it closer to the pole than on any expedition to date.
What medal did Matthew Henson receive?
the Hubbard Medal
In 2000, the National Geographic Society posthumously awarded Matthew Henson its highest honor—the Hubbard Medal. Henson’s great niece, Audrey Mebane, accepted the award at the Matthew Henson Earth Conservation Center in Washington, D.C.
What did Edwin Peary discover in 1909?
the geographic North Pole
Robert Edwin Peary Sr. He is best known for, in April 1909, leading an expedition that claimed to be the first to have reached the geographic North Pole. Explorer Matthew Henson, part of the expedition, is thought to have reached what they believed to be the North Pole narrowly before Peary.
How close did Peary get to the North Pole?
On his 1898–1902 expedition, Peary set a new “Farthest North” record by reaching Greenland’s northernmost point, Cape Morris Jesup. Peary made two more expeditions to the Arctic, in 1905–1906 and in 1908–1909. During the latter, he claimed to have reached the North Pole….
| Robert Peary | |
|---|---|
| Unit | Civil Engineer Corps |
What made Matthew Henson famous?
Matthew Henson was an African American explorer best known as the co-discoverer of the North Pole with Robert Edwin Peary in 1909.
Who discovered South Pole?
Roald Amundsen
One hundred years ago today the South Pole was reached by a party of Norwegian explorers under the command of Roald Amundsen.