Historical Figure
Robert Falcon Scott
d. 1912
British Antarctic explorer (1868–1912)
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Biography
Captain Robert Falcon Scott was a British Royal Navy officer and explorer who led two expeditions to the Antarctic regions: the Discovery expedition of 1901–04 and the Terra Nova expedition of 1910–13.
Timeline
The story of Robert Falcon Scott, told in moments.
Led the Discovery expedition to Antarctica. His team set a new record by marching to 82 degrees south. They discovered the Antarctic Plateau, where the South Pole sits.
Set out on the Terra Nova expedition with the goal of reaching the South Pole. He chose a combination of motor sledges, ponies, and man-hauling. Norwegian rival Roald Amundsen was racing him with dog teams.
Reached the South Pole. Amundsen's Norwegian flag was already planted there. They'd arrived 34 days too late. Scott wrote in his diary: "The worst has happened."
Died in his tent with two companions, 11 miles from a supply depot. A blizzard pinned them down. His final journal entry: "For God's sake look after our people."
In Their Own Words (7)
Great God! this is an awful place and terrible enough for us to have laboured to it without the reward of priority.
Journal, 17 January 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition (1913) vol.1, ch.18, 1913
Had we lived, I should have had a tale to tell of the hardihood, endurance, and courage of my companions which would have stirred the heart of every Englishman. These rough notes and our dead bodies must tell the tale, but surely, surely, a great rich country like ours will see that those who are dependent on us are properly provided for.
Journal, 29 March 1912; final words, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition (1913) vol.1, ch.20, 1913
Make the boy interested in natural history if you can; it is better than games; they encourage it in some schools.
Last letter to his wife, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition (1913) vol.1, ch.20, 1913
We arrived within 11 miles of our old One Ton Camp with fuel for one hot meal and food for two days. For four days we have been unable to leave the tent - the gale howling about us. We are weak, writing is difficult, but for my own sake I do not regret this journey, which has shown that Englishmen can endure hardships, help one another, and meet death with as great a fortitude as ever in the past. We took risks, we knew we took them; things have come out against us, and therefore we have no cause for complaint, but bow to the will of Providence, determined still to do our best to the last. . . . We have been willing to give our lives to this enterprise, which is for the honour of our country.
Journal, 29 March 1912, 1912
The Beardmore Glacier is not difficult in fine weather, but on our return we did not get a single completely fine day; this with a sick companion enormously increased our anxieties.
Journal, 29 March 1912, 1912
Artifacts (15)
If Panic! wants it, they have first dibs, but if not, it could work for Weezer.
homicidal cannibal. In 2011, Urie co-wrote a song with Rivers Cuomo of the band Weezer. Rivers has said that "If Panic! wants it, they have first dibs, but if not, it could work for Weezer." In...
I guess if I had to classify myself, I'd say I'm straight.
2011, the two married on April 27, 2013. In 2013, Urie said that he had "experimented" with men but stated, "I guess if I had to classify myself, I'd say I'm straight." In July 2018, Urie described...
Scott of the Antarctic: The Journals of Captain R.F. Scott's Last Polar Expedition
In November 1910, the vessel Terra Nova left New Zealand carrying an international team of explorers led by Robert Falcon Scott, an Englishman determined to be the first man to reach the South Pole.
I can't tell you how sorry I am to those that have been hurt and to those who ha...
. Urie apologized and announced that all of his crew members will receive anti-harassment training. Urie stated "I can't tell you how sorry I am to those that have been hurt and to those who have had...
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