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A History of Polar Exploration in 50 Objects: From Cook's Circumnavigations to the Aviation Age
A History of Polar Exploration in 50 Objects covers just over 150 years of polar exploration during which a mysterious southern continent and an elusive northern sea-route became less incognita and increasingly charted and understood.
The objects of the title include instruments used by explorers and scientists, their means of transport and representations of previously unrecorded sights and creatures. Others evidence how explorers financed expeditions, survived during them or shed light on the lives of those who awaited their return in an era before the modern communications now taken for granted. While individual objects are of their own time, they form part of a continuum of polar exploration; they also evidence networks and collaborations which bind polar explorers and scientists to each other, to other mariners and those living in or near polar regions.
The fifty objects • Mrs Elizabeth Cook's ditty-box made of wood from HMS Resolution. • John Ross's long-preserved canister of meat • A rock marker left by James Clark Ross for his best friend, 'Frank' Crozier • John Rae's surveying octant • Edward Wilson's portable paintbox • Ernest Shackleton's 'Farthest South' sledging-compass • A samurai sword • Matthew Henson's North Pole expedition fur suit • Roald Amundsen's fjord-side refuge • HMS Erebus's long-silent bell
Some objects remain in polar regions, others are in public spaces, museums, archives and galleries all over the world. They and the stories relating to them are illustrated with almost 150 images, some rarely or not previously published.
A History of Polar Exploration in 50 Objects is Anne Strathie's fourth book on polar regions and is the culmination of approaching fifteen years of research and travel in polar regions and in Britain and other countries lying between the two extremes.
The objects of the title include instruments used by explorers and scientists, their means of transport and representations of previously unrecorded sights and creatures. Others evidence how explorers financed expeditions, survived during them or shed light on the lives of those who awaited their return in an era before the modern communications now taken for granted. While individual objects are of their own time, they form part of a continuum of polar exploration; they also evidence networks and collaborations which bind polar explorers and scientists to each other, to other mariners and those living in or near polar regions.
The fifty objects • Mrs Elizabeth Cook's ditty-box made of wood from HMS Resolution. • John Ross's long-preserved canister of meat • A rock marker left by James Clark Ross for his best friend, 'Frank' Crozier • John Rae's surveying octant • Edward Wilson's portable paintbox • Ernest Shackleton's 'Farthest South' sledging-compass • A samurai sword • Matthew Henson's North Pole expedition fur suit • Roald Amundsen's fjord-side refuge • HMS Erebus's long-silent bell
Some objects remain in polar regions, others are in public spaces, museums, archives and galleries all over the world. They and the stories relating to them are illustrated with almost 150 images, some rarely or not previously published.
A History of Polar Exploration in 50 Objects is Anne Strathie's fourth book on polar regions and is the culmination of approaching fifteen years of research and travel in polar regions and in Britain and other countries lying between the two extremes.
- GenresNonfiction
320 pages, Paperback
First published November 14, 2024
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August 19, 2025
A fantastic, informative and absolutely gorgeously illustrated look at polar exploration over around two centuries. I knew about a lot of these expeditions but there were others I didn’t know so well (Southern Cross, Mawson, to name a couple) which I now am yearning for more of. Even for the ones I did know of, it was great to see them through the lenses of their material culture and history.
Some of my favourite objects and tidbits included…
The ominous canister of meat for Edward Parry’s 1820s expedition, which was preserved at Fury Beach and then later brought out as a party piece by John Ross, an acquaintance of whom ate the contents ‘with no ill effects’ (won’t be trying that one)
James Clark Ross’ stunning and dashing portrait (my favourite historical portrait of all time, absolutely sums him up and the rockstar quality of these Victorian polar explorers)
The rock at Port Leopold inscribed with the date 1849 by men searching for the lost Franklin expedition which is such an immediate and tangible link to the past, having survived untouched for so long
RRS Discovery, because I’m a sucker for a museum ship and am so ashamed that I’ve never been on it (Dundee is a looooong way away!)
Edward Wilson’s paintbox and his beautiful drawings of Antarctica – I was so honoured and moved to be able to see one of his paintboxes at the Natural History Museum in London, as well as the penguin eggs he, Cherry and Birdie Bowers collected at Cape Crozier. Such an incredible object to sum up a bewildering and fascinating expedition
On the subject of… Birdie Bowers’ sledge flag which I particularly liked the story behind as he tried to design one himself and it looked too ‘amateurish’ compared to the others’ flags (I adore Birdie so much and this sums him up: maybe not as polished as the others but makes up for it in enthusiasm and pluck)
Amundsen’s Uranienborg – another place I would love to visit (although as a side note, you can download a virtual tour of it on Steam for free which is so random but such a great idea to showcase history)
The Scott Polar Research Institute, a monument to past and future polar exploration, science, and history and all those who have given so much to it over the centuries. Another place I need to visit!
And the many huts mentioned, many of which are still perfectly preserved in the cold conditions
One of my other favourite objects was one that wasn’t a main feature but was a photograph attached to another, showing Vivien Fuchs and George Lowe in front of a statue of Scott, taken using film from a roll found at Cape Crozier from when Cherry, Wilson and Birdie had been there decades before. Another great example of the connections of polar history across time.
Some of my favourite objects and tidbits included…
The ominous canister of meat for Edward Parry’s 1820s expedition, which was preserved at Fury Beach and then later brought out as a party piece by John Ross, an acquaintance of whom ate the contents ‘with no ill effects’ (won’t be trying that one)
James Clark Ross’ stunning and dashing portrait (my favourite historical portrait of all time, absolutely sums him up and the rockstar quality of these Victorian polar explorers)
The rock at Port Leopold inscribed with the date 1849 by men searching for the lost Franklin expedition which is such an immediate and tangible link to the past, having survived untouched for so long
RRS Discovery, because I’m a sucker for a museum ship and am so ashamed that I’ve never been on it (Dundee is a looooong way away!)
Edward Wilson’s paintbox and his beautiful drawings of Antarctica – I was so honoured and moved to be able to see one of his paintboxes at the Natural History Museum in London, as well as the penguin eggs he, Cherry and Birdie Bowers collected at Cape Crozier. Such an incredible object to sum up a bewildering and fascinating expedition
On the subject of… Birdie Bowers’ sledge flag which I particularly liked the story behind as he tried to design one himself and it looked too ‘amateurish’ compared to the others’ flags (I adore Birdie so much and this sums him up: maybe not as polished as the others but makes up for it in enthusiasm and pluck)
Amundsen’s Uranienborg – another place I would love to visit (although as a side note, you can download a virtual tour of it on Steam for free which is so random but such a great idea to showcase history)
The Scott Polar Research Institute, a monument to past and future polar exploration, science, and history and all those who have given so much to it over the centuries. Another place I need to visit!
And the many huts mentioned, many of which are still perfectly preserved in the cold conditions
One of my other favourite objects was one that wasn’t a main feature but was a photograph attached to another, showing Vivien Fuchs and George Lowe in front of a statue of Scott, taken using film from a roll found at Cape Crozier from when Cherry, Wilson and Birdie had been there decades before. Another great example of the connections of polar history across time.
Displaying 1 of 1 review