Robert Falcon Scott: A Polar Explorer’s Biography
The bold explorer who raced to the South Pole, paving the way for future expeditions.
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Robert Falcon Scott: A Polar Explorer’s Biography in 10 Minutes
Introduction
Roald Amundsen
Edgar Evans
Lawrence Oates
Edward Wilson
The Departure
The Competition
The Journey South
The Arrival at the Pole
The Return Journey
The Tragic Discovery
The Final Days
The Last Entry
The Legacy
Lesson Details & Resources
In a Nutshell
British Royal Navy officer and explorer
Lived: 1868 – 1912
Most known for leading two expeditions to Antarctica, including the ill-fated Terra Nova Expedition in 1910-1913
His legacy includes advancing scientific knowledge of Antarctica and inspiring future explorers to push the boundaries of human exploration.
Timeline of Robert Falcon Scott: A Polar Explorer’s Biography
Robert Falcon Scott born in Plymouth, England
Scott joins the Royal Navy
Scott participates in the Antarctic expedition on the Discovery
Scott reaches the furthest southern point at that time on the Discovery expedition
Scott leads the British Antarctic Expedition (Terra Nova Expedition)
Scott and his team reach the South Pole, only to find they were beaten by Amundsen
Scott and his team perish on the return journey from the South Pole
Bodies of Scott and his team discovered in their tent
Memorial service held for Scott and his team at St. Paul's Cathedral
Scott's final diary entries published
Scott's widow, Kathleen, is made a widow of the British Empire
Scott's account of the expedition, 'Scott's Last Expedition', published
Scott's son, Peter Scott, becomes a renowned ornithologist and conservationist
Scott's granddaughter, Dafila Scott, follows in her father's footsteps as a conservationist
A statue of Scott erected in Waterloo Place, London
Scott Polar Research Institute founded in Cambridge, England
Scott's hut at Cape Evans preserved as a historic site
Scott's original diaries and letters made available online by the British Library
Centenary commemorations held for Scott and his team
Scott's legacy continues to inspire exploration and scientific research in Antarctica
Vocabulary List
- Antarctica
- Robert Falcon Scott led expeditions to explore Antarctica, the southernmost continent
- South Pole
- Scott's expedition aimed to reach the South Pole, the southernmost point on Earth
- Terra Nova Expedition
- Scott's ill-fated expedition to the South Pole, named after the ship Terra Nova
- Roald Amundsen
- Norwegian explorer who beat Scott to the South Pole in 1911
- Scott's Last Expedition
- The title of Scott's journal, documenting his final expedition to the South Pole
- Ponies
- Scott's expedition used ponies as part of their transport to the South Pole
- Ice Axe
- A tool used by Scott and his team to navigate the icy terrain of Antarctica
- Frostbite
- Scott and his team suffered from frostbite during their expedition to the South Pole
- Polar Exploration
- The field of exploration focused on the Arctic and Antarctic regions, where Scott made his mark
- Scott's Hut
- A historic site in Antarctica, where Scott and his team stayed during their expeditions
Key Facts
This is the information used in the fact matching game
- Robert Falcon Scott was a British Royal Navy officer and explorer who led two expeditions to the Antarctic regions.
- Scott's first Antarctic expedition, the Discovery Expedition, took place from 1901 to 1904.
- Scott's second Antarctic expedition, the Terra Nova Expedition, took place from 1910 to 1913.
- Scott's goal on the Terra Nova Expedition was to be the first to reach the South Pole.
- Scott and his team reached the South Pole on January 17, 1912, only to discover that Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen had beaten them to it by over a month.
- All five members of Scott's team died on the return journey from the South Pole.
- Scott's final diary entries were found in his tent by a search party eight months after his death.
- Scott's Terra Nova Expedition is considered one of the greatest tragedies in the history of polar exploration.
- Scott's wife, Kathleen, published his diaries and letters after his death, which helped to establish his reputation as a heroic figure.
- Scott's team included men such as Edward Wilson, Lawrence Oates, Henry Bowers, and Edgar Evans, all of whom perished on the return journey.
- Scott's body was discovered in his tent along with his companions in November 1912.
- Scott's expedition was well-equipped but faced severe weather conditions and logistical challenges that contributed to their demise.
- Scott's legacy is debated among historians, with some viewing him as a courageous leader and others criticizing his decision-making and preparation.
- Scott's expeditions paved the way for future Antarctic exploration and scientific research.
- Scott's son, Sir Peter Scott, followed in his father's footsteps as a renowned explorer and conservationist.
- Scott's expeditions inspired numerous books, documentaries, and films about polar exploration.
- Scott's ship, the Terra Nova, was named after the Roman goddess of the earth.
- Scott's expedition included a team of ponies and sled dogs to assist with transportation and exploration in the Antarctic wilderness.
- Scott's final journey to the South Pole is commemorated with a memorial cross at the site of his camp.
- Scott's achievements and sacrifices continue to be remembered and honored by explorers and historians around the world.
Analysis & Significance
Major Accomplishments
Robert Falcon Scott is best known for leading two expeditions to Antarctica, the Discovery Expedition (1901-1904) and the ill-fated Terra Nova Expedition (1910-1913). During these expeditions, he made significant contributions to the understanding of the Antarctic continent and its wildlife.
Impact on the World
Scott’s expeditions sparked international interest in Antarctica and paved the way for future explorations of the continent. Despite the tragic outcome of the Terra Nova Expedition, Scott’s efforts helped to advance scientific knowledge of the region and inspired generations of explorers.
Enduring Legacy
Robert Falcon Scott is remembered as a courageous and determined leader who faced unimaginable challenges in the pursuit of scientific discovery. His legacy lives on through the continued exploration of Antarctica and the ongoing study of his expeditions, which have become enduring symbols of human endurance and exploration.
Robert Falcon Scott: A Polar Explorer’s Biography Games
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