Robert Edwin Peary, Sr.
| Rear Admiral Robert Peary |
|
|---|---|
Peary in naval uniform circa 1911
|
|
| Born |
Robert Edwin Peary May 6, 1856 Cresson, Pennsylvania |
| Died | February 20, 1920 (aged 63) Washington, D.C. |
| Nationality |
 United States
|
| Alma mater | Bowdoin College |
| Known for | Claim to have reached the Geographic North Pole |
| Spouse(s) | Josephine Diebitsch Peary |
| Children | Marie Ahnighito Peary Robert Edwin Peary Jr. Kali Peary (by Aleqasina) |
| Awards |
Cullum Geographical Medal (1896) Charles P. Daly Medal (1902) Hubbard Medal (1906) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America |
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1881–1911 |
| Rank |
 Rear Admiral
|
| Unit | |
Rear Admiral Robert Edwin Peary Sr. (May 6, 1856 – February 20, 1920) was an American explorer and United States Navy officer who made several expeditions to the Arctic in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is best known for claiming to have reached the geographic North Pole with his expedition on April 6, 1909.
Peary was born in Cresson, Pennsylvania, but raised in Portland, Maine, following his father's death at a young age. He attended Bowdoin College, then joined the National Geodetic Survey as a draftsman. Peary enlisted in the navy in 1881, as a civil engineer. In 1885, he was made chief of surveying for the Nicaragua Canal (which was never built).
In 1886, Peary visited the Arctic for the first time, making an unsuccessful attempt to cross Greenland by dogsled which was thwarted by a lack of supplies. He returned in 1891 much better prepared, and by reaching Independence Fjord (in what is now known as Peary Land) conclusively proved that Greenland was an island. Peary was one of the first Arctic explorers to study Inuit survival techniques, which he used to his great benefit.
On his 1898–1902 expedition, Peary set a new "Farthest North" record by reaching Greenland's northernmost point, Cape Morris Jesup. He also reached the northernmost point of the Western Hemisphere, at the top of Canada's Ellesmere Island. Peary made two further expeditions to the Arctic, in 1905–06 and in 1908–09. During the latter, he claimed to have reached the North Pole. Peary received a number of awards from geographical societies during his lifetime, and in 1911 received the Thanks of Congress and was promoted to rear admiral. He served two terms as president of The Explorers Club, and retired to Eagle Island.
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