Roald Amundsen

Roald Amundsen was a Norwegian explorer known for being the first to sail through the North-West Passage, reach the South Pole, and take a transarctic flight across the North Pole.

Roald Engebreth Gravning Amundsen

Explorer

1872

June 18, 1928

56

Borge, Norway

Roald Amundsen, the renowned Norwegian explorer and navigator, is celebrated for his numerous groundbreaking achievements in polar exploration. In 1911, he became the first person to reach the South Pole, and he also successfully traversed the Northwest Passage. Amundsen holds the distinction of being the first individual to reach both the North and South Poles. Among his other accomplishments are his humanitarian work during World War I, his participation in the rescue mission for Italian explorer Umberto Nobile, and his leadership in the first expedition to successfully overwinter in the Arctic. Additionally, he navigated the Northeast Passage and authored the book “The South Pole: An Account of the Norwegian Antarctic Expedition in the Fram, 1910–1912.”

Before fully committing to polar research, Amundsen studied medicine and gained valuable experience in Antarctic survival, honing his ability to handle life-threatening situations. His first independent expedition was the 1903-06 Gjøa journey through the ice-filled channels north of mainland Canada. Although he attempted to drift across the North Pole using Fridtjof Nansen’s old ship, the Fram, he was deterred by the news of Robert E. Peary’s achievement. Nevertheless, Amundsen persisted in his endeavors and went on to accomplish remarkable feats in polar exploration.

Roald Amundsen’s extraordinary legacy as an explorer has solidified his place as one of history’s most esteemed figures, and his accomplishments continue to captivate and inspire people worldwide. Notably, he was the first person to sail through the Northwest Passage, reach the South Pole, and complete a transarctic flight across the North Pole.