Captain Robert Falcon Scott - 10 Awesome Facts You Need to Know

Captain Robert Falcon Scott is a legend of Antarctic Exploration. Perhaps more famous for his death and the mistakes that he made leading up to it, rather than his achievements and career. Like his contemporary, Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton, Scott’s dedication to exploring the Antarctic is both inspiring and heartbreaking. Who was this man? What made his name virtually inseparable from the history of Antarctic Exploration?

Captain Robert Falcon Scott – 10 awesome facts you need to know

1. Scott was born on the 6^th of June 1868

Scott was born in Devonport, Plymouth in the United Kingdom. His father was a brewer and a Magistrate. Devonport is currently the largest Naval base in Western Europe.

2. Scott began his career in the Royal Navy in 1881

Scott was a cadet of only 13 years old when he first joined the Royal Navy. 16 years later, in 1897, Scott had become a first lieutenant for the Royal Navy.

3. Scott volunteered to lead the famous British Discovery Expedition of 1901 – 1903,

He volunteered not for the interest in the Antarctic – but rather an opportunity for a first command after a chance meeting with Sir Clements Markham the then president of the Royal Geographical Society in 1899.

4. The Discovery Expedition has both scientific and exploration objectives, including a march towards the pole – Scott’s first attempt.

He was joined by Ernest Shackleton on this trek. Shackleton later succumbed to the harsh conditions and led to a falling out with Scott which continued long after the expedition.

5. Scott was promoted to Captain

Upon return from the Discover Expedition – Scott was promoted to Captain and became a Commander of the Royal Victorian order. He later became commander of the HMS Albemarie – A battleship.

6. Scott married Kathleen Bruce in 1907.

Scott and Kathleen met at a private lunch. She was a socialite and cosmopolitan. They married in September 1908. They had one son, Peter – who later founded the World Wide Fund for Nature or WWF.

7. Scott returned to the Antarctic with the ill-fated Terra Nova Expedition of 1910-1912.

Here Scott attempted to be the first man to the South Pole. This trip is often criticised for its poor preparation including taking ponies instead of dogs to haul the sleds through the snow.

Scott arrived at the pole to find he was beaten by just 5 weeks to the pole by Roald Amundsen – The Norwegian explorer.

9. Scott was a meticulous diary keeper

Scott died on his return back to his camp after reaching the pole. He died on the 29^th of March and his final diary entry read:

We took risks. We knew we took them; things have come out against us, and therefore we have no cause for complaint, but bow to the will of Providence, determined still to do our best to the last .. Had we lived, I should have had a tale to tell of the hardihood, endurance, and courage of my companions which would have stirred the heart of each and every Englishman. These rough notes and our dead bodies tell the tale, but surely, surely, a great rich country like ours will see that those who are dependent on us are properly provided for.

10. News of Scott’s death reached the world on the 10^th of February, 1913.

His dead was announced with the arrival of his ship and expedition party on board the Terra Nova in New Zealand. Within days Scott became a national icon.

We hope these facts about Captain Robert Falcon Scott have inspired you to learn more about Antarctica. Chimu Adventures offer a range of different trips to the Antarctic.