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Birth
Robert E Peary was born on May 6, 1856 in Pennsylvania. With the news of his father's death 3 years later the Peary family moved to Portland Maine. -
Joins The U.S Navy
In October 26, 1881 Robert Edwin joins the U.S Navy and was commissioned as a civil engineer. He rode on the ship canal survey in Nicaragua. He Later then got ranked up to the relative rank of lieutenant. -
Expedition
Peary, his wife, and 5 others leave New York for Greenland. Before returning home Peary had made a 1,300 mile trek to the northeast part of Greenland discovering new land indicating the insularity of Greenland. -
Reaching The North Pole
From the years 1898 to 1902 Peary showed real efforts into reaching the North Pole. He suffered alot to reach his goal and failed to get close to his goal. Alot might say the reason for his failure was the fact that he had 8 toes amputated in 1899, but that didnt stop him, he kept traveling until weather conditions got bad and he was forced to go back. -
Grant Land
Reaching the north coast of Grant Land and wintering there, Peary and his support party set out with sledges in March 1906. After several weeks of arduous travel over broken ice, the party, weak and exhausted, reached 87°16′N but was forced to turn back with its goal less than 175 miles away -
3rd Attempt
Accompanied by well-trained Eskimos, Peary led a party of 24 men, 19 sledges, and 133 dogs northward from Cape Columbia.When Peary returned to the United States, he discovered that a one-time expedition mate of his—Frederick A. Cook—claimed to have discovered the Pole a year earlier. Both men's reputations suffered. -
Last Attempt
In July 1908,Peary embarked on what he knew would be his last polar attempt. Peary led a party of 24 men, 19 sledges, and 133 dogs northward from Cape Columbia. On April 1, near the 88th parallel, the final support party turned back, and Peary, Henson, and four Eskimos went on, reaching 90°N on April 6, 1909. -
Announcing His Discovery
In 1909, Peary returned to announce his discovery, only to learn that 5 days previously Frederick Cook had proclaimed a 1908 visit to the pole. the general public often sided with Cook. Peary's claims were validated and recognized by Congress and the major geographic societies of the world. Frederick Cook's claims were later forgotten cause they were descretedid in addition to his frauds. -
Written Books
In 1911 Peary retired from the navy with the rank of rear admiral. His published works include Northward over the “Great Ice” (1898), The North Pole (1910), and Secrets of Polar Travel (1917). -
Death
Robert Edwin Peary died in Washington, D.C. on February 20, 1920. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
