AKA Robert Edwin Peary

Born: 6-May-1856
Birthplace: Cresson, PA
Died: 20-Feb-1920
Location of death: Washington, DC
Cause of death: unspecified
Remains: Buried, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA

Gender: Male
Race or Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Explorer

Nationality: United States
Executive summary: First to reach the North Pole

Military service: US Navy (civil engineer, Rear Admiral, 1881-)

Was somewhere near the North Pole on 9 April 1909, with Matthew Henson and four Eskimos, Oatah, Egingwah, Seegloo, and Ookeah. Whether or not he reached his goal is an open question, with evidence surfacing in the 1980's that he came only within 20 miles of the Pole. But in 1989 the National Geographic Society determined that the notes dated from a previous journey, and re-asserted Peary's claim.

Wife: Josephine Diebitsch (m. 1888)

    University: Bowdoin College (1877)

    Explorers Club
    Freemasonry Kane Lodge #454, New York (3-Mar-1896)
    Risk Factors: Amputee

Author of books:
Northward over the Great Ice (1898, travelogue)
Nearest the Pole (1907, travelogue)

Appears on postage stamps:
USA, Scott #2123 (22 cents, with Matthew Henson, issued 28-May-1986)

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