Amundsen, Roald, 1872-1928

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While on an Arctic exploration, Amundsen's ship, the Maud, was disabled by a broken propeller off the Siberian coast. He requested assistance from Captain Claude S. Cochran on the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Bear.

From the description of Radiograms and telegrams : between Amundsen on the disabled auxiliary schooner Maud and the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Bear, 1921 July 8-19. (The Mariners' Museum Library). WorldCat record id: 30352211

Amundsen was a Norwegian polar explorer.

From the description of Correspondence with Fredrik Herman Gade, 1903-1928. (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 122405129

From the guide to the Correspondence with Fredrik Herman Gade, 1903-1928., (Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University)

Norwegian polar explorer.

From the description of Autograph, ca. 1925. (Boston Athenaeum). WorldCat record id: 15174181

Roald Engelbregt Gravning Amundsen (1872-1928) was born near Oslo, Norway into a prosperous shipbuilding family. Amundsen was inspired to become a polar explorer by travel books on the Arctic and by the exploits of his countryman Fridtjof Nansen.

Amundsen spent two years as a medical student at Oslo University before he went to sea in a sealer to East Greenland, obtaining his mate's certificate in 1895. He joined the Belgian Antarctic Expedition, 1897-1899 (de Gerlache de Gomery) as first mate of Belgica . The ship was beset by pack ice and drifted south of Peter I y for 12 months, becoming the first exploring vessel to winter south of the Antarctic Circle. A comprehensive scientific programme was undertaken and detailed collections were made.

On his return Amundsen obtained his master's certificate in 1900 and also trained in geomagnetism under the German physicist Georg von Neumayer. In 1903, despite inadequate financial support, he sailed the small fishing boat Gja with six companions from Baffin Bay westward through the Arctic archipelago of northern Canada, living in close contact with local Inuit. During the first winter, he sledged with dog teams to the North Magnetic Pole. In the second summer, Gja emerged into the Beaufort Sea, becoming in August 1905 the first ship to achieve the Northwest Passage.

For two years following his return, Amundsen was engaged in writing and lecturing in order to pay the debts of the expedition. He began to prepare for his next great venture, hoping to reach the North Pole by drifting across the Arctic Ocean like Nansen. Winning Nansen's support, the Norwegian government loaned Amundsen the research vessel Fram, in September 1909, the news that Frederick Cook and Robert Peary had reached the North Pole reduced Amundsen's enthusiasm for this expedition. Sailing from Norway in June 1910, ostensibly for the Arctic, he switched objectives and headed instead for the South Pole on the Norwegian Antarctic Expedition, 1910-1912, informing Robert Falcon Scott of his intentions before Scott left New Zealand. By the end of January 1911, Amundsen was established at Framheim on the Ross Ice Shelf, and on 14 December 1911 he and four companions reached the South Pole by dog sledge, claiming the South Polar Plateau for Norway. His expedition was a model of foresight, organization and efficiency.

In the earlier years of the First World War, Amundsen amassed a small fortune by speculation in shipping. Putting his money into the furtherance of his schemes of exploration, Amundsen returned to the Arctic in 1918 with his own ship Maud, in which he sailed and drifted along the Siberian coast.

On his return to Norway, Amundsen became interested in flight as a means of exploration, and after some preliminary ventures, he flew from Spitsbergen in 1925, reaching 88° North before being forced to descend. The following year, with Lincoln Ellsworth and General Nobile, he took the Norge airship from Spitsbergen to Alaska over the North Pole in 72 hours. In June 1928, he was lost with two companions while flying over the Arctic Ocean in search of a missing Italian expedition led by Nobile.

Published work My life as an explorer by Roald Amundsen, Heinemann, London (1927) Roald Amundsen's Belgica diary, the first scientific expedition to the Antarctic, edited by Hugo Decleir, Bluntisham Books Bluntisham, Erskine Press Norwich (1999)

Biographical information, Roald Amundsen explorer by Charles Turley, Methuen & Co. London (1935) Amundsen by Bellamy Partridge, Robert Hale, London (1953) Roald Amundsen - en biografi (Norwegian) by Tor Bomann-Larsen, Cappelen Oslo (1995)

From the guide to the Roald Amundsen collection, 1909 - 1925, (Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Lomen Family Papers, 1850-1969 University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Polar Regions Collections & Archives
referencedIn Roald Amundsen collection, 1909 - 1925 Scott Polar Research Institute
creatorOf Nome (Alaska). Citizens. Nome Alaska Citizens banquet given ... to Captain Roald Amundsen and the crew of the Gjoa : DS, 1906 Sept. 3. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Stephen Carter Jackson collection, [1905-1926] Scott Polar Research Institute
referencedIn Sverdrup, H. U. (Harald Ulrik), 1888-1957. Papers, 1928-1942. Dartmouth College Library
referencedIn Ellsworth, Lincoln, 1880-1951. Materials from the Lincoln Ellsworth Collection : transferred to the Library, January 24, 1956. American Museum of Natural History
referencedIn Wood, Elizabeth. Elizabeth Wood Albums, ca. 1902-1914. University of Alaska Fairbanks, Elmer E. Rasmuson Library
referencedIn Arctic field photographs, 1925. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Adolphus Greely collection, 1912-1927 Scott Polar Research Institute
referencedIn Gibbons, Russell W. Papers of Russell W. Gibbons, [manuscript], 1967-1968. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Snow, Sid. Alaska and Siberia photographs from a journey on the S.S. Buford [graphic]. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Pirie MacDonald Portrait Photograph Collection, [1885]-1942 (bulk 1900-1942) New-York Historical Society
referencedIn Ellsworth, Lincoln, 1880-1951. Roald Amundsen : typescript / by Lincoln Ellsworth. The Mariners' Museum Library
referencedIn Tidd, Harriet,. Papers collected by Harriet Tidd [manuscript] 1926 & n.d. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Krug, Caryl Sale,. William W. and Neeta Tobey Sale papers, 1899-1998 (bulk 1905-1912). Alaska State Library
referencedIn Robinson, Elmer E., 1894-1982,. Americana, 1765-1969. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Amundsen, Roald, 1872-1928. Correspondence with Fredrik Herman Gade, 1903-1928. Houghton Library
referencedIn Records of the National Science Foundation. 1907 - 2007. Science and Polar Exploration Sound Recordings National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Correspondence with Fredrik Herman Gade, 1903-1928. Houghton Library
creatorOf Hasbrouck, Elsa. Papers, 1926. Dartmouth College Library
referencedIn Leon Amundsen collection, 1911 Scott Polar Research Institute
referencedIn Welch, Lula James, 1873-. Papers, 1868-1966 (inclusive). Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Papers, 1868-1966 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Walter B. Beals album on Roald Amundsen, 1906-1929 University of Washington Libraries Special Collections
referencedIn Beals, Walter B. Walter B. Beals album on Roald Amundsen, 1906-1929 [graphic]. University of Washington. Libraries
referencedIn Hammer, Trygve, 1878-1947. [Head of Amundsen, miniature in bronze] realia Dartmouth College Library
referencedIn Sale, William W. (William Walter), 1874-1953. William W. and Neeta Tobey Sale photograph collection [graphic], 1899-1998 1905-1912. Alaska State Library
referencedIn Rear Adm. Robert E. Peary Papers. 1798 - 1976. Published Materials Relating to Polar Explorations, 1888 - 1940 National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Lomen Bros. Lomen Brothers photograph collection [graphic], 1903-1920. Alaska State Library
referencedIn Cook, Frederick Albert, 1865-1940. Papers, 1881-1977 (bulk 1891-1940). Library of Congress
referencedIn A. W. Greely Papers, 1753-1997, (bulk 1880-1935) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn New York Times Company records. Arthur Hays Sulzberger papers, 1823-1999 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Roald Amundsen collection, 1909 - 1925 Scott Polar Research Institute
referencedIn Berg, Kaare,. NoordPool-Expedite "Maud" [videorecording]. University of California, San Diego, UC San Diego Library; UCSD Library
referencedIn A. K. Larssen papers, 1957-1980 University of Washington Libraries Special Collections
referencedIn Frederick Albert Cook Papers, 1881-1977, (bulk 1891-1940) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Andrews, Clarence Leroy, 1862-1948. C.L. Andrews scrapbook, 1921-1933. University of Washington. Libraries
referencedIn Arctic field photographs, 1926. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Berg, Kaare,. Med Maud over Polhavet [videorecording] : Roald Amundsen Ekspedition, 1922-1925. University of California, San Diego, UC San Diego Library; UCSD Library
creatorOf Amundsen, Roald, 1872-1928. [Grub box] realia Dartmouth College Library
referencedIn Godfred Hansen collection, 1920 Scott Polar Research Institute
creatorOf Amundsen, Roald, 1872-1928. Autograph signatures. Smithsonian Institution. Libraries
referencedIn Bjorn Helland-Hansen collection, 1909 Scott Polar Research Institute
referencedIn Henry Larsen collection, 1928-1950 Scott Polar Research Institute
referencedIn Guide to the Daily Worker and Daily World Photographs Collection, 1920-2001 Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
referencedIn Lomen family. Lomen Family Papers, 1850-1969. University of Alaska Fairbanks, Elmer E. Rasmuson Library
referencedIn Keystone View Company. Keystone View Company lantern slides, ca. 1892-ca. 1912. College of Charleston, Marlene and Nathan Addlestone Library
referencedIn Northwest Minnesota Historical Center. Papers. Tri-College Library
creatorOf Ellsworth, Lincoln, 1880-1951. Collection 1925-1939. American Museum of Natural History
referencedIn Ellsworth, Lincoln, 1880-1951. A set of Ellsworth pictures as prepared for his biography : Amundsen-Ellsworth expedition of 1925 and 1926. American Museum of Natural History
creatorOf Amundsen, Roald, 1872-1928. Radiograms and telegrams : between Amundsen on the disabled auxiliary schooner Maud and the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Bear, 1921 July 8-19. The Mariners' Museum Library
referencedIn John Scott Keltie collection, 1907-1919 Scott Polar Research Institute
creatorOf Abbott, Lyman, 1835-1922,. Papers of the Baker and Wheeler families, 1763-1954. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Lomen family. Lomen family papers, 1850-1969. University of Alaska Fairbanks, Elmer E. Rasmuson Library
referencedIn Ellsworth, Lincoln, 1880-1951. Lincoln Ellsworth papers, 1921-1928 (inclusive). Yale University Library
creatorOf Amundsen, Roald, 1872-1928. Autograph, ca. 1925. Boston Athenaeum
referencedIn Maas, Charles Oscar, d. 1919. Papers of Charles Oscar Maas, 1917-1925. Library of Congress
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Adolphus Washington Greely person
associatedWith Amundsen-Ellsworth-Nobile Polar Flight (1926) corporateBody
associatedWith Amundsen-Ellsworth Polar Flight (1925) corporateBody
associatedWith Amundsen, Leon person
associatedWith Amundsen, Roald person
associatedWith Andrews, Clarence Leroy, 1862-1948. person
associatedWith Beals, Walter B. person
associatedWith Bear (Ship) corporateBody
associatedWith Bjorn Helland-Hansen person
associatedWith Cochran, Claude S., fl. 1891-1928, person
associatedWith Communist Party of the United States of America. corporateBody
associatedWith Cook, Frederick Albert, 1865-1940. person
associatedWith Dibner, Bern, person
associatedWith Ellsworth, Lincoln, 1880-1951. person
memberOf Explorers Club corporateBody
associatedWith Fram (Ship) corporateBody
correspondedWith Fredrik Herman Gade person
correspondedWith Frois Froisland person
associatedWith Gade, Fredrik Herman, 1871- person
associatedWith Gibbons, Russell W. person
associatedWith Gjøa (Ship) corporateBody
correspondedWith Greely, A. W. (Adolphus Washington), 1844-1935. person
associatedWith Hammer, Trygve, 1878-1947. person
associatedWith Hansen, Godfred person
associatedWith Hasbrouck, Elsa. person
associatedWith Henry Asbjorn Larsen person
associatedWith John Scott Keltie person
associatedWith Keystone View Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Krug, Caryl Sale, person
associatedWith Larssen, A. K. person
associatedWith Lomen Bros. corporateBody
associatedWith Lomen family family
associatedWith Lomen family. family
associatedWith Lomen family. family
associatedWith Lula (James) Welch, 1873- person
associatedWith Maas, Charles Oscar, d. 1919. person
associatedWith Maud (Auxiliary schooner) corporateBody
associatedWith Mogg William Captain of schooner Bonanza person
associatedWith Munk, Eugénie, 1867- person
associatedWith New York Times Company corporateBody
associatedWith Nome (Alaska). Citizens. corporateBody
associatedWith Norwegian Antarctic Expedition 1910-1912 corporateBody
associatedWith Norwegian Northwest Passage Expedition Canada (Arctic Archipelago) 1903-1906 corporateBody
correspondedWith Roald Amundsen person
associatedWith Robinson, Elmer E., 1894-1982, person
associatedWith Ronne, Finn person
associatedWith Sale, William W. (William Walter), 1874-1953. person
associatedWith Stephen Carter Jackson person
associatedWith Sverdrup, H. U. (Harald Ulrik), 1888-1957. person
associatedWith Welch, Lula James, 1873- person
associatedWith Wood, Elizabeth. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Bering Sea Coast (Russia)
Arctic Discovery and exploration
Antarctic Discovery and exploration
Norway
Polar regions
Arctic regions
Northwest Passage
Subject
Explorers
Stranding of ships
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1872-07-16

Death 1928-06-18

Norwegians

English,

Norwegian

Information

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Ark ID: w6hj77z3

SNAC ID: 83172311