Artefact of the Month - January 2012
Letter from Scott of the Antarctic, 1901
100 years ago Captain Robert Scott and his companions reached the South Pole on 17 January 1912, only to find Amundsen and the Norwegians had got there first. Tragically, Scott and his team died on the return journey.
This letter to ZSL from Scott, written in 1901, concerns an earlier National Antarctic Expedition of discovery, from 1901-1904. In the letter, Scott says he is sending his Second in Command and navigator, Albert Armitage, to talk to Dr Sclater (Secretary of the Zoological Society) about the difficulties they are having with dogs for the forthcoming expedition. Unfortunately, any advice appears not to have helped as the experience they had with the sledge dogs on the journey was disastrous. The expedition itself, however, was a success and Scott returned a popular hero.
Visting the Library If you are a member of ZSL, please bring your ZSL membership card when visiting the Library. If you are not a member you will need to show proof of address and photographic ID. Although much of the Library is open access, an appointment is needed to view historic books and archives. Please email library@zsl.org to make an appointment or telephone 02074496293 |
