Roald Amundsen(1872 — 1928)
Roald Amundsen
Norvège
8 min read
Norwegian polar explorer, Roald Amundsen was the first person to reach the South Pole on December 14, 1911, beating Robert Falcon Scott's British expedition. He was also the first to navigate the Northwest Passage by ship.
Frequently asked questions
Famous Quotes
« Victory awaits those who have everything in order. People call it luck.»
« I would rather be judged as having gone too far than not far enough.»
Key Facts
- 1872: Born in Borge, Norway
- 1903–1906: First to navigate the Northwest Passage by ship (Gjøa expedition)
- December 14, 1911: First person to reach the South Pole, beating Scott by five weeks
- 1926: First crossing of the North Pole by airship (Norge), with Umberto Nobile and Lincoln Ellsworth
- 1928: Disappears over the Barents Sea during a rescue mission for Nobile
Works & Achievements
First complete maritime crossing of the Northwest Passage, from the Atlantic to the Pacific along the Arctic coastline of North America. This three-year expedition remains one of the greatest achievements in Arctic navigation.
The first human being to reach the geographic South Pole, arriving a month ahead of Robert Falcon Scott's British expedition. This victory is considered the pinnacle of “the Heroic Age of Polar Exploration.”
Account of the Antarctic expedition published in two volumes, translated into many languages. A foundational work for understanding the strategy, preparation, and conditions of the conquest of the South Pole.
Crossing of the Russian Arctic from west to east aboard the Maud, sailing along Siberia. Though less celebrated than his other achievements, this expedition completed his mastery of both polar sea passages.
Together with Umberto Nobile and Lincoln Ellsworth, Amundsen flew over the North Pole aboard the airship Norge, completing a crossing of the Arctic from Norway to Alaska. This was the first time the position of the North Pole was reached and documented beyond dispute.
Anecdotes
From adolescence, Amundsen secretly trained by sleeping with his windows open in the depths of the Norwegian winter, hardening his body against the polar cold. His mother, who hoped to see him become a doctor, knew nothing of these preparations. It was only after her death that he abandoned his medical studies to devote himself entirely to exploration.
To navigate the Northwest Passage (1903–1906), Amundsen chose a tiny 47-ton vessel, the Gjøa, capable of sailing in shallow waters. His crew spent two winters among the Netsilik Inuit, from whom he adopted arctic survival techniques: caribou-fur clothing, dog sledding, and igloo construction. This knowledge would prove decisive at the South Pole.
Before setting off for Antarctica
Amundsen kept his change of destination secret from everyone — including his sponsors and Robert Falcon Scott. He had announced an expedition to the North Pole. It was only en route
off the Canary Islands
that he revealed the truth to his crew and sent Scott a terse telegram:
Beg leave to inform you Fram proceeding Antarctic. Amundsen.
On December 14, 1911, when Amundsen's team reached the South Pole, the five men together planted the Norwegian flag in the ice. Amundsen left in the tent a letter to King Haakon VII and a message for Scott, asking him to deliver the news in the event of his own death on the return journey. Scott found this tent a month later, on January 17, 1912.
In June 1928, Amundsen vanished over the Barents Sea during a rescue mission to find survivors of the airship Italia, commanded by Umberto Nobile, which had crashed onto the pack ice. His seaplane was never found. Amundsen was 55 years old and died a hero, searching for a rival with whom he had often clashed.
Primary Sources
On December 14, 1911, at 3 p.m., the goal was reached. Our observations indicated that we were at the South Pole. The time we had taken to cover this distance, the round trip, was 99 days.
After three years of navigation and two winters spent with the Netsilik, we had accomplished what so many explorers had attempted before us: the complete traversal of the Northwest Passage by sea.
Beg leave to inform you Fram proceeding Antarctic. Amundsen.
Exploration has been the great love of my life. I have never known any other passion that consumed me so completely, and I regret none of the sacrifices it demanded of me.
Key Places
Birthplace of Roald Amundsen, on July 16, 1872. He grew up in a family of Norwegian sailors and shipowners, in a country where the sea and wide open spaces shaped one's ambitions.
On December 14, 1911, Amundsen planted the Norwegian flag here alongside his four companions, achieving one of the greatest feats in the history of exploration. No human being had ever set foot there before.
The base camp Amundsen established in January 1911 on the Ross Ice Shelf, at 78°30' South latitude. From here, the depot-laying teams set out and the final dash to the pole began.
Port on King William Island where Amundsen wintered for two consecutive years (1903–1905) during his Northwest Passage, living among the Netsilik Inuit, who shared their Arctic survival knowledge with him.
The capital from which Amundsen organized and financed his expeditions, and where he was welcomed as a national hero upon his return from the South Pole in 1912.
