# Robert Falcon Scott

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British Antarctic explorer (1868–1912)

"Scott of the Antarctic" redirects here. For the film, see [*Scott of the Antarctic* (film)](/source/Scott_of_the_Antarctic_(film)).

Captain Robert Falcon Scott CVO Scott in 1905 Born (1868-06-06)6 June 1868 Plymouth, Devon, England Died c. 29 March 1912(1912-03-29) (aged 43) Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica Allegiance United Kingdom Branch Royal Navy Service years 1881–1912 Rank Captain Expeditions Discovery expedition Terra Nova expedition Awards Royal Victorian Order (1901) Patron's Medal (1904) Vega Medal (1905) Cullum Medal (1906) Polar Medal (1913) Spouse Kathleen Bruce ​ (m. 1908)​ Children Sir Peter Scott Relations Ettie Ellison-Macartney (sister) Signature

Captain **Robert Falcon Scott** (6 June 1868 – c. 29 March 1912) was a British [Royal Navy](/source/Royal_Navy) officer and explorer who led two expeditions to the [Antarctic](/source/Antarctic) regions: the [*Discovery* expedition](/source/Discovery_Expedition) of 1901–04 and the [*Terra Nova* expedition](/source/Terra_Nova_Expedition) of 1910–13.

On the first expedition, Scott set a new southern record by marching to latitude 82°S and discovered the [Antarctic Plateau](/source/Antarctic_Plateau), on which the South Pole is located. On the second venture, Scott led a party of five which reached the [South Pole](/source/South_Pole) on 17 January 1912, less than five weeks after [Amundsen's South Pole expedition](/source/Amundsen's_South_Pole_expedition). On the return journey from the Pole, a planned meeting with supporting dog teams from the base camp failed, despite Scott's written instructions, and at a distance of 162 miles (261 km) from their base camp at [Hut Point](/source/Hut_Point) and approximately 12.5 miles (20.1 km) from the next depot, Scott and his companions died. When Scott and his party's bodies were discovered, they had in their possession the first Antarctic [fossils](/source/Fossil) discovered.[1] The fossils were determined to be from the *[Glossopteris](/source/Glossopteris)* tree and proved that Antarctica was once forested and joined to other continents.[2]

Before his appointment to lead the *Discovery* expedition, Scott had a career as a Royal Navy officer. In 1899, he had a chance encounter with Sir [Clements Markham](/source/Clements_Markham), the president of the [Royal Geographical Society](/source/Royal_Geographical_Society) (RGS), and learned of a planned Antarctic expedition, which he soon volunteered to lead.[3] His name became inseparably associated with the Antarctic, the field of work to which he remained committed during the final years of his life.

Following the news of his death, Scott became a celebrated hero, a status reflected by memorials erected across the UK. However, in the last decades of the 20th century, questions were raised about his competence and character. Commentators in the 21st century have regarded Scott more positively after assessing the temperature drop below −40 °C (−40 °F) in March 1912, and after re-discovering Scott's written orders of October 1911, in which he had instructed the dog teams to meet and assist him on the return trip.[4]

## Early life

### Family

Scott as a Midshipman, 1882

HERE WAS BORN IN 1868 AND IN HIS BOYHOOD RESIDED ROBERT FALCON SCOTT, CAPTAIN, R.N., WHO DIED IN THE ANTARCTIC, MARCH 1912 AFTER REACHING THE SOUTH POLE.

Scott was born on 6 June 1868, the third of six children and elder son of John Edward, a brewer and magistrate, and Hannah ([née](/source/Birth_name#Maiden_and_married_names) Cuming) Scott of [Stoke Damerel](/source/Stoke_Damerel), near [Devonport](/source/Devonport%2C_Devon). There were also naval and military traditions in the family, Scott's grandfather and four uncles all having served in the army or navy.[5] John Scott's prosperity came from the ownership of a small [Plymouth](/source/Plymouth) brewery which he had inherited from his father and subsequently sold.[6] Scott's early childhood years were spent in comfort, but some years later, when he was establishing his naval career, the family suffered serious financial misfortune.[7]

In accordance with the family's tradition, Scott and his younger brother Archie were predestined for careers in the armed services. Scott spent four years at a local day school before being sent to [Stubbington House School](/source/Stubbington_House_School) in Hampshire, a [cramming establishment](/source/Cram_school) that prepared candidates for the entrance examinations to the naval training ship [HMS *Britannia*](/source/HMS_Prince_of_Wales_(1860)) at [Dartmouth](/source/Dartmouth%2C_Devon). Having passed these exams Scott began his naval career in 1881, as a 13-year-old cadet.[8] One of his older sisters was [Ettie Ellison-Macartney](/source/Ettie_Ellison-Macartney).[9]

In *[The Worst Journey in the World](/source/The_Worst_Journey_in_the_World)*, author [Apsley Cherry-Garrard](/source/Apsley_Cherry-Garrard) claims that "physically Scott had been a delicate boy but developed into a strong man, 5 feet 9 inches in height, 11 stone 6 lbs. in weight, with a chest measurement of 39¼ inches."

### Early naval career

Portrait of Scott by [John Thomson](/source/John_Thomson_(photographer)), c. 1900

In July 1883, Scott passed out of *Britannia* as a midshipman, seventh overall in a class of 26.[10] By October, he was en route to South Africa to join [HMS *Boadicea*](/source/HMS_Boadicea_(1875)), the flagship of the Cape squadron, the first of several ships on which he served during his midshipman years. While stationed in [St Kitts](/source/St_Kitts), [West Indies](/source/West_Indies), on [HMS *Rover*](/source/HMS_Rover_(1874)), he had his first encounter with [Clements Markham](/source/Clements_Markham), then Secretary of the Royal Geographical Society, who would loom large in Scott's later career. On this occasion, 1 March 1887, Markham observed Midshipman Scott's cutter winning that morning's race across the bay. Markham's habit was to "collect" likely young naval officers with a view to their undertaking polar exploration work in the future. He was impressed by Scott's intelligence, enthusiasm and charm, and the 18-year-old midshipman was duly noted.[3]

In March 1888 Scott passed his examinations for sub-lieutenant, with four first class certificates out of five.[11] His career progressed smoothly, with service on various ships and promotion to lieutenant in 1889. In 1891, after a long spell in foreign waters, he applied for the two-year torpedo training course on [HMS *Vernon*](/source/HMS_Vernon_(shore_establishment)), an important career step. He graduated with first class certificates in both the theory and practical examinations. A small blot occurred in the summer of 1893 when, while commanding a torpedo boat, Scott ran it aground, a mishap which earned him a mild rebuke.[12]

During the research for his dual biography of Scott and Roald Amundsen, polar historian [Roland Huntford](/source/Roland_Huntford) investigated a possible scandal in Scott's early naval career, related to the period 1889–1890 when Scott was a lieutenant on [HMS *Amphion*](/source/HMS_Amphion_(1883)). According to Huntford, Scott "disappears from naval records" for eight months, from mid-August 1889 until 26 March 1890. Huntford hints at involvement with a married American woman, a cover-up, and protection by senior officers. Biographer David Crane reduces the missing period to eleven weeks, but is unable to clarify further. He rejects the notion of protection by senior officers on the grounds that Scott was not important or well-connected enough to warrant this. Documents that may have offered explanations are missing from Admiralty records.[13][14]

In 1894, while serving as torpedo officer on the depot ship [HMS *Vulcan*](/source/HMS_Vulcan_(1889)), Scott learned of the financial calamity that had overtaken his family. John Scott, having sold the brewery and invested the proceeds unwisely, had lost all his capital and was now virtually bankrupt.[15] At the age of 63, and in poor health, he was forced to take a job as a brewery manager and move his family to [Shepton Mallet](/source/Shepton_Mallet), Somerset. Three years later, while Robert was serving with the [Channel Squadron](/source/Channel_Fleet) flagship [HMS *Majestic*](/source/HMS_Majestic_(1895)), John Scott died of heart disease, creating a fresh family crisis.[16] Hannah Scott and her two unmarried daughters now relied entirely on the service pay of Scott and the salary of younger brother Archie, who had left the army for a higher-paid post in the colonial service. Archie's own death in the autumn of 1898, after contracting [typhoid fever](/source/Typhoid_fever), meant that the whole financial responsibility for the family rested on Scott.[17]

Promotion, and the extra income this would bring, now became a matter of considerable concern to Scott.[18] In the Royal Navy however, opportunities for career advancement were both limited and keenly sought after by ambitious officers. Early in June 1899, while home on leave, he had a chance encounter in a London street with Clements Markham, who was now knighted and President of the [Royal Geographical Society](/source/Royal_Geographical_Society) (RGS), and learned for the first time of an impending Antarctic expedition with [*Discovery*](/source/RRS_Discovery), under the auspices of the RGS. It was the opportunity for early command and a chance to distinguish himself, rather than any predilection for polar exploration which motivated Scott, according to Crane.[19] What passed between them on this occasion is not recorded, but a few days later, on 11 June, Scott appeared at the Markham residence and volunteered to lead the expedition.[3]

## *Discovery* expedition, 1901–1904

Main article: [Discovery Expedition](/source/Discovery_Expedition)

[Shackleton](/source/Ernest_Shackleton), Scott, and [Wilson](/source/Edward_Adrian_Wilson) before their march south during the [*Discovery* expedition](/source/Discovery_Expedition), 2 November 1902

The British National Antarctic Expedition, later known as the *Discovery* Expedition, was a joint enterprise of the RGS and the [Royal Society](/source/Royal_Society). A long-cherished dream of Markham's, it required all of his skills and cunning to bring the expedition to fruition, under naval command and largely staffed by naval personnel. Scott may not have been Markham's first choice as leader but, having decided on him, the older man remained a constant supporter.[20] There were committee battles over the scope of Scott's responsibilities, with the Royal Society pressing to put a scientist in charge of the expedition's programme while Scott merely commanded the ship. Eventually, however, Markham's view prevailed;[21] Scott was given overall command, and was promoted to the rank of commander before [*Discovery*](/source/RRS_Discovery) sailed for the Antarctic on 6 August 1901.[22] [King Edward VII](/source/King_Edward_VII), who showed a keen interest in the expedition, visited *Discovery* the day before the ship left British shores in August 1901,[23] and during the visit appointed Scott a Member Fourth Class of the [Royal Victorian Order](/source/Royal_Victorian_Order), his personal gift.[24]

Sledge flag used by Scott in Antarctica during the *Discovery* Expedition. Now on display in [Exeter Cathedral](/source/Exeter_Cathedral)[25]

Experience of Antarctic or Arctic waters was almost entirely lacking within the 50-strong party and there was very little special training in equipment or techniques before the ship set sail.[26] Dogs were taken, as were skis, but the dogs succumbed to disease in the first season. Nevertheless, the dogs' performance impressed Scott, and, despite moral qualms, he implemented the principle of slaughtering dogs for dog food to increase the others' range.[27] During an early attempt at ice travel, a blizzard trapped expedition members in their tent and their decision to leave it resulted in the death of George Vince, who slipped over a precipice on 11 March 1902.[28][29] The expedition also experienced problems with [scurvy](/source/Scurvy), which affected Scott's domestic reputation.[30]

*Discovery* hut at [Hut Point](/source/Hut_Point)

The expedition had both scientific and exploration objectives; the latter included a long journey south, in the direction of the South Pole. This march, undertaken by Scott, [Ernest Shackleton](/source/Ernest_Shackleton) and [Edward Wilson](/source/Edward_Adrian_Wilson), took them to a latitude of 82°17′S, about 530 miles (850 km) from the pole. A harrowing return journey brought about Shackleton's physical collapse and his early departure from the expedition.[31] The second year showed improvements in technique and achievement, culminating in Scott's western journey which led to the discovery of the [Polar Plateau](/source/Polar_Plateau). This has been described by one writer as "one of the great polar journeys".[32] The scientific results of the expedition included important biological, zoological and geological findings.[33] Some of the meteorological and magnetic readings, however, were later criticised as amateurish and inaccurate.[34][35]

At the end of the expedition it took the combined efforts of two relief ships and the use of explosives to free *Discovery* from the ice.[36] Scott's insistence during the expedition on Royal Navy formalities had made for uneasy relations with the merchant navy contingent, many of whom departed for home with the first relief ship in March 1903. Second-in-command [Albert Armitage](/source/Albert_Armitage), a merchant officer, was offered the chance to go home on compassionate grounds, but interpreted the offer as a personal slight, and refused.[37] Armitage also promoted the idea that the decision to send Shackleton home on the relief ship arose from Scott's animosity rather than Shackleton's physical breakdown.[38] Although there was later tension between Scott and Shackleton, when their polar ambitions directly clashed, mutual civilities were preserved in public;[39] Scott joined in the official receptions that greeted Shackleton on his return in 1909 after the [*Nimrod* Expedition](/source/Nimrod_Expedition),[40] and the two exchanged polite letters about their respective ambitions in 1909–1910.[41]

## Between expeditions

### Popular hero

Scott pictured by [Daniel A. Wehrschmidt](/source/Daniel_A._Wehrschmidt), 1905

*Discovery* returned to Britain in September 1904. The expedition had caught the public imagination, and Scott became a popular hero. He was awarded a cluster of honours and medals, including many from overseas, and was promoted to the rank of [captain](/source/Captain_(Royal_Navy)).[42] He was invited to [Balmoral Castle](/source/Balmoral_Castle), and King [Edward VII](/source/Edward_VII) promoted him to Commander of the [Royal Victorian Order](/source/Royal_Victorian_Order).[43][44]

Scott's next few years were crowded. For more than a year he was occupied with public receptions, lectures and the writing of the expedition record, *The Voyage of the Discovery*. In January 1906, he resumed his full-time naval career, first as an assistant director of [Naval Intelligence](/source/Naval_Intelligence) at the [Admiralty](/source/British_Admiralty) and, in August, as [flag-captain](/source/Flag-captain) to Rear-Admiral Sir George Egerton on [HMS *Victorious*](/source/HMS_Victorious_(1895)).[45] He was now moving in ever more exalted social circles—a telegram to Markham in February 1907 refers to meetings with Queen [Amélie of Orléans](/source/Am%C3%A9lie_of_Orl%C3%A9ans) and [Luis Filipe, Prince Royal of Portugal](/source/Luis_Filipe%2C_Prince_Royal_of_Portugal), and a later letter home reports lunching with the Commander-in-Chief of the Fleet and [Prince Heinrich of Prussia](/source/Prince_Henry_of_Prussia_(1862%E2%80%931929)). The telegram related to a collision involving Scott's ship, [HMS *Albemarle*](/source/HMS_Albemarle_(1901)). Scott was cleared of blame.[46] [HMS *Albemarle*](/source/HMS_Albemarle_(1901)), a battleship commanded by Scott, collided with the battleship [HMS *Commonwealth*](/source/HMS_Commonwealth) on 11 February 1907, suffering minor bow damage.[47]

### Dispute with Shackleton

By early 1906, Scott queried the RGS about the possible funding of a future Antarctic expedition.[48] It was therefore unwelcome news to him that [Ernest Shackleton](/source/Ernest_Shackleton) had announced his own plans to travel to *Discovery*'s old [McMurdo Sound](/source/McMurdo_Sound) base and launch a bid for the South Pole from there.[49] Scott claimed, in the first of a series of letters to Shackleton, that the area around McMurdo was his own "field of work" to which he had prior rights until he chose to give them up, and that Shackleton should therefore work from an entirely different area.[49] In this, he was strongly supported by *Discovery*'s former zoologist, [Edward Wilson](/source/Edward_Adrian_Wilson), who asserted that Scott's rights extended to the entire [Ross Sea](/source/Ross_Sea) sector.[50] Shackleton refused to concede.

According to a letter written to [Stanfords](/source/Stanfords) bookshop owner [Edward Stanford](/source/Edward_Stanford), Scott seemed to take offence with a map that was published that had shown how far south Scott and Shackleton had travelled during the Discovery Expedition. Scott implied in this letter, dated in 1907 and discovered in the shop archives in 2018, that having the two men's names together on this map indicated that there was "dual leadership" between Scott and Shackleton which was "not in accordance with fact."[51] After the owner replied with an apology over the issue, Scott expressed his regret at the nature of the previous letter and stated, "I tried to be impartial in giving credit to my companions who one and all laboured honestly and well as I have endeavoured to record....I understand now of course that you had no personal knowledge of the wording and I must express regret that I failed to realise your identity when I first wrote."[52]

Finally, to end the impasse, Shackleton agreed, in a letter to Scott dated 17 May 1907, to work to the east of the 170°W meridian and therefore to avoid all the familiar *Discovery* ground.[53] In the end it was a promise that he was unable to keep after his search for alternative landing grounds proved fruitless. With his only other option being to return home, he set up his headquarters at [Cape Royds](/source/Cape_Royds), close to the old *Discovery* base.[54] For this he was roundly condemned by the British polar establishment at the time.

Among modern polar writers, [Ranulph Fiennes](/source/Ranulph_Fiennes) regards Shackleton's actions as a technical breach of honour, but adds: "My personal belief is that Shackleton was basically honest but circumstances forced his McMurdo landing, much to his distress."[55] The polar historian Beau Riffenburgh states that the promise to Scott "should never ethically have been demanded," and compares Scott's intransigence on this matter unfavourably with the generous attitudes of the Norwegian explorer [Fridtjof Nansen](/source/Fridtjof_Nansen), who gave freely of his advice and expertise to all, whether they were potential rivals or not.[56]

### Marriage

Kathleen and Robert Falcon Scott

Scott, who because of his *Discovery* fame had entered [Edwardian](/source/Edwardian_period) society, first met [Kathleen Bruce](/source/Kathleen_Scott) early in 1907 at a private luncheon party.[57] She was a sculptor, socialite and cosmopolitan who had studied under [Auguste Rodin](/source/Auguste_Rodin)[58] and whose circle included [Isadora Duncan](/source/Isadora_Duncan), [Pablo Picasso](/source/Pablo_Picasso) and [Aleister Crowley](/source/Aleister_Crowley).[59] Her initial meeting with Scott was brief, but when they met again later that year, the mutual attraction was obvious. A stormy courtship followed; Scott was not her only suitor—his main rival was would-be novelist [Gilbert Cannan](/source/Gilbert_Cannan)—and his absences at sea did not assist his cause.[60] However, Scott's persistence was rewarded and, on 2 September 1908, at the Chapel Royal, [Hampton Court Palace](/source/Hampton_Court_Palace), the wedding took place.[61] Their only child, [Peter Markham Scott](/source/Peter_Scott), born 14 September 1909,[62] was to found the [World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)](/source/World_Wide_Fund_for_Nature).

## *Terra Nova* expedition, 1910–1913

Main article: [Terra Nova Expedition](/source/Terra_Nova_Expedition)

### Preparation

Scott's and Amundsen's routes to the South Pole

Shackleton returned from the Antarctic having narrowly failed to reach the Pole and this gave Scott the impetus to proceed with plans for his second Antarctic expedition.[63] On 24 March 1909, he took the Admiralty-based appointment of naval assistant to the [Second Sea Lord](/source/Second_Sea_Lord), which placed him conveniently in London. In December, he was released on half-pay to take up the full-time command of the British Antarctic Expedition 1910, to be known as the [*Terra Nova* expedition](/source/Terra_Nova_Expedition) from its ship, [*Terra Nova*](/source/Terra_Nova_(ship)).[64]

It was the expressed hope of the RGS that this expedition would be "scientific primarily, with exploration and the Pole as secondary objects"[65] but, unlike the [*Discovery* expedition](/source/Discovery_Expedition), neither they nor the Royal Society were in charge this time. In his expedition prospectus, Scott stated that its main objective was "to reach the South Pole, and to secure for the British Empire the honour of this achievement".[65] Scott had, as Markham observed, been "bitten by the Pole mania".[65]

In a memorandum of 1908, Scott presented his view that man-hauling to the South Pole was impossible and that motor traction was needed.[66] Snow vehicles did not yet exist however and so his engineer [Reginald Skelton](/source/Reginald_Skelton) developed the idea of a caterpillar track for snow surfaces.[67] In the middle of 1909, Scott realised that motors were unlikely to get him all the way to the Pole and decided additionally to take horses (based on Shackleton's near success in attaining the Pole, using ponies),[68][69] dogs and skis, after consultation with Nansen during trials of the motors in Norway in March 1910.[70] Man-hauling would still be needed on the Polar Plateau, on the assumption that motors and animals could not ascend the crevassed [Beardmore Glacier](/source/Beardmore_Glacier).

Dog expert [Cecil Meares](/source/Cecil_Meares) was going to [Siberia](/source/Siberia) to select the dogs and Scott ordered that, while he was there, he should deal with the purchase of Manchurian ponies. Meares was not an experienced horse-dealer and the ponies he chose proved mostly of poor quality and ill-suited to prolonged Antarctic work.[41] Meanwhile, Scott also recruited Bernard Day, from Shackleton's expedition, as his motor expert.[71]

### First season

Scott writing his journal in [Scott's Hut](/source/Scott's_Hut) at [Cape Evans](/source/Cape_Evans), 7 October 1911

On 15 June 1910, Scott's ship, *Terra Nova*, an old converted whaler, set sail from [Cardiff](/source/Cardiff), South Wales. Scott meanwhile was fundraising in Britain and joined the ship later in South Africa. Arriving in [Melbourne](/source/Melbourne), Australia in October 1910, Scott received a telegram from Amundsen stating: "Beg leave to inform you *Fram* proceeding Antarctic Amundsen," possibly indicating that Scott faced a race to the pole.[72]

The expedition suffered a series of early misfortunes which hampered the first season's work and impaired preparations for the main polar march. On its journey from New Zealand to the Antarctic, *Terra Nova* nearly sank in a storm and was then trapped in [pack ice](/source/Pack_ice) for 20 days,[73] far longer than other ships had experienced, which meant a late-season arrival and less time for preparatory work before the Antarctic winter. At Cape Evans, Antarctica, one of the motor sledges was lost during its unloading from the ship, breaking through the sea ice and sinking.[74]

Scott's primary sledge flag during the *Terra Nova* Expedition[75]

A second sledge flag used by Scott during the *Terra Nova* Expedition[76]

Deteriorating weather conditions and weak, unacclimatised, ponies affected the initial depot-laying journey, so that the expedition's main supply point, One Ton Depot, was laid 35 miles (56 km) north of its planned location at 80°S. [Lawrence Oates](/source/Lawrence_Oates), in charge of the ponies, advised Scott to kill ponies for food and advance the depot to 80°S, which Scott refused to do. Oates is reported as saying to Scott, "Sir, I'm afraid you'll come to regret not taking my advice."[77]

[*Terra Nova*](/source/Terra_Nova_(ship)) held up in pack ice, 13 December 1910

On its return to base, the expedition learned of the presence of Amundsen, camped with his crew and a large contingent of dogs in the [Bay of Whales](/source/Bay_of_Whales), 200 miles (320 km) to their east.[78] Scott conceded that his ponies would not be able to start early enough in the season to compete with Amundsen's cold-tolerant dog teams for the pole and also acknowledged that the Norwegian's base was closer to the pole by 69 miles (111 km).[79] Wilson was more hopeful,[80] whereas Gran shared Scott's concern.[81] Shortly afterwards, the death toll among the ponies increased to six, three drowning when sea-ice unexpectedly disintegrated, casting in doubt the possibility of reaching the pole at all. However, during the 1911 winter, Scott's confidence increased: on 2 August, after the return of a three-man party from their winter journey to [Cape Crozier](/source/Cape_Crozier), Scott wrote, "I feel sure we are as near perfection as experience can direct".[82]

### Journey to the Pole

Scott outlined his plans for the southern journey to the entire shore party,[83] leaving open who would form the final polar team, according to their performance during the polar travel. Eleven days before Scott's teams set off towards the pole, Scott gave the dog driver Meares the following written orders at Cape Evans, dated 20 October 1911, to secure Scott's speedy return from the pole using dogs:

About the first week of February I should like you to start your third journey to the South, the object being to hasten the return of the third Southern unit [the polar party] and give it a chance to catch the ship. The date of your departure must depend on news received from returning units, the extent of the depot of dog food you have been able to leave at One Ton Camp, the state of the dogs, etc ... It looks at present as though you should aim at meeting the returning party about March 1 in Latitude 82 or 82.30[84]

The march south began on 1 November 1911, a caravan of mixed transport groups (motors, dogs, horses), with loaded sledges, travelling at different rates, all designed to support a final group of four men who would make a dash for the Pole. The southbound party was steadily reduced in size as successive support teams turned back. Scott reminded the returning Surgeon-Lieutenant [Atkinson](/source/Edward_L._Atkinson) of the order "to take the two dog-teams south in the event of Meares having to return home, as seemed likely".[85] By 4 January 1912, the last two four-man groups had reached 87°34′S.[86] Scott announced his decision: five men — himself, [Wilson](/source/Edward_Adrian_Wilson), [Bowers](/source/Henry_Robertson_Bowers), [Oates](/source/Lawrence_Oates) and [E. Evans](/source/Edgar_Evans) — would go forward; the other three — [Teddy Evans](/source/Teddy_Evans), [William Lashly](/source/William_Lashly) and [Tom Crean](/source/Tom_Crean_(explorer)) — would return. The chosen group marched on, but on January 16 spotted the black flag of Amundsen in the distance, who had beaten them to their goal by five weeks.[87]

The group finally reached the Pole on 17 January, where they found [a tent](/source/Polheim) left in place by Amundsen, in it containing a letter dated 18 December. Scott's anguish is indicated in his diary: "The worst has happened [...] All the day dreams must go [...] Great God! This is an awful place".[88]

### Last march

Scott's party at the South Pole: Oates, Bowers, Scott, Wilson and Evans.

The deflated party began the 862 miles (1,387 km) return journey on 19 January. "I'm afraid the return journey is going to be dreadfully tiring and monotonous", wrote Scott on that day.[89] The party made good progress despite poor weather, and had completed the Polar Plateau stage of their journey, approximately 300 miles (480 km), by 7 February. In the following days, as the party made the 100 miles (160 km) descent of the [Beardmore Glacier](/source/Beardmore_Glacier), the physical condition of Edgar Evans, which Scott had noted with concern as early as 23 January, declined sharply.[90] A fall on 4 February had left Evans "dull and incapable,"[91] and on 17 February, after another fall, he died near the glacier foot.[92] Still needing to travel 400 miles (640 km) across the [Ross Ice Shelf](/source/Ross_Ice_Shelf), the prospects of Scott's party steadily worsened as they struggled northward with deteriorating weather, a puzzling lack of fuel in the depots, hunger, and exhaustion.[93]

Meanwhile, back at Cape Evans, the *Terra Nova* arrived at the beginning of February, and Atkinson decided to unload the supplies from the ship with his own men rather than set out south with the dogs to meet Scott as ordered.[94] When Atkinson finally did leave south for the planned rendezvous with Scott, he encountered the scurvy-ridden Edward ("Teddy") Evans who needed urgent medical attention. Atkinson therefore tried to send the experienced navigator Wright south to meet Scott, but chief meteorologist Simpson declared he needed Wright for scientific work. Atkinson then decided to send the short-sighted Cherry-Garrard on 25 February, who was not able to navigate, only as far as One Ton depot (which is within sight of Mount Erebus), effectively cancelling Scott's orders for meeting him at latitude 82 or 82.30 on 1 March.[4]

On the return journey from the Pole, Scott reached the 82°S meeting point for the dog teams, 300 miles (480 km) from [Hut Point](/source/Hut_Point), three days ahead of schedule, noting in his diary for 27 February 1912, "We are naturally always discussing possibility of meeting dogs, where and when, etc. It is a critical position. We may find ourselves in safety at the next depot, but there is a horrid element of doubt." On 2 March, Oates began to suffer from the effects of frostbite and the party's progress slowed as he was increasingly unable to assist in the workload, eventually only able to drag himself alongside the men pulling the sledge. By 10 March the temperature had dropped unexpectedly to below −40 °C (−40 °F).[95]

[Cairn](/source/Cairn) over the tent containing the bodies of [Edward Adrian Wilson](/source/Edward_Adrian_Wilson), [Henry Robertson Bowers](/source/Henry_Robertson_Bowers) and Robert Falcon Scott

In a farewell letter to [Sir Edgar Speyer](/source/Edgar_Speyer), dated 16 March, Scott wondered whether he had overshot the meeting point and fought the growing suspicion that he had in fact been abandoned by the dog teams: "We very nearly came through, and it's a pity to have missed it, but lately I have felt that we have overshot our mark. No-one is to blame and I hope no attempt will be made to suggest that we had lacked support."[96] On the same day, Oates, whose toes had become frostbitten,[97] voluntarily left the tent and walked to his death.[98] Scott wrote that Oates' last words were "I am just going outside and may be some time".[99]

After walking 20 miles (32 km) farther despite Scott's toes now becoming frostbitten,[100] the three remaining men made their final camp on 19 March, approximately 12.5 miles (20.1 km) short of One Ton Depot. The next day a fierce blizzard prevented their making any progress.[101] During the next nine days, as their supplies ran out, and with storms still raging outside the tent, Scott and his companions wrote their farewell letters. Scott gave up his diary after 23 March, save for a final entry on 29 March, with its concluding words: "Last entry. For God's sake look after our people".[102] He left letters to Wilson's mother, Bowers' mother, a string of notables including his former commander, Sir [George Egerton](/source/George_Egerton_(Royal_Navy_officer)), his own mother and his wife.[103]

He also wrote his "Message to the Public", primarily a vindication of the expedition's organisation and conduct in which the party's failure is attributed to weather and other misfortunes, but ending on an inspirational note, with these words:

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 every Englishman. These rough notes and our dead bodies must 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.[104]

Scott is presumed to have died on 29 March 1912, or possibly one day later. The positions of the bodies in the tent when it was discovered eight months later suggested that Scott was the last of the three to die.[105][106][107]

In his final journal entry he wrote:[108]

I do not think we can hope for any better things now. We shall stick it out to the end, but we are getting weaker, of course, and the end cannot be far.

It seems a pity, but I do not think I can write more.

R. SCOTT.

For God's sake look after our people.

[Observation Hill](/source/Observation_Hill_(McMurdo_Station)) memorial cross, erected in 1913

The bodies of Scott and his companions were discovered by a search party on 12 November 1912. [Tryggve Gran](/source/Tryggve_Gran), who was part of the search party, described the scene as, "snowcovered til up above the door, with Scott in the middle, half out of his bagg [*[sic](/source/Sic)*] ... the frost had made the skin yellow & transparent & I've never seen anything worse in my life."[109] Their final camp became their tomb; their records and personal belongings were retrieved before the tent roof was lowered over the bodies and a high [cairn](/source/Cairn) of snow was erected over it, topped by a roughly fashioned cross, erected using Gran's skis.[110] Next to their bodies lay 35 pounds (16 kg) of *[Glossopteris](/source/Glossopteris)* tree fossils which they had dragged on hand sledges.[111] These were the first ever discovered Antarctic fossils and proved that Antarctica had once been warm and connected to other continents.[1]

In January 1913, before *Terra Nova* left for home, a large wooden cross was made by the ship's carpenters, inscribed with the names of the lost party and [Tennyson](/source/Alfred%2C_Lord_Tennyson)'s line from his poem [*Ulysses*](/source/Ulysses_(poem)): "To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield", and was erected as a permanent memorial on [Observation Hill](/source/Observation_Hill_(McMurdo_Station)), overlooking [Hut Point](/source/Hut_Point).[112]

## Reputation

### Recognition

The world was informed of the tragedy when *Terra Nova* reached [Oamaru](/source/Oamaru), New Zealand, on 10 February 1913.[113] Within days, Scott became a national icon.[114] A nationalistic spirit was aroused; the *[London Evening News](/source/London_Evening_News)* called for the story to be read to schoolchildren throughout the land,[115] to coincide with the memorial service at [St Paul's Cathedral](/source/St_Paul's_Cathedral) on 14 February. [Robert Baden-Powell](/source/Robert_Baden-Powell), founder of the [Boy Scouts Association](/source/Boy_Scouts_Association), asked: "Are Britons going downhill? No! ... There is plenty of pluck and spirit left in the British after all. Captain Scott and Captain Oates have shown us that".[116]

Scott statue at [Portsmouth Historic Dockyard](/source/HMNB_Portsmouth#Portsmouth_Historic_Dockyard), sculpted by [Kathleen Scott](/source/Kathleen_Scott)

The expedition's survivors were suitably honoured on their return, with [polar medals](/source/Polar_medal) and promotions for the naval personnel. In place of the knighthood that might have been her husband's had he survived, Kathleen Scott was granted the rank and precedence of a widow of a [Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath](/source/Knight_Commander_of_the_Order_of_the_Bath).[117][118][119] In 1922, she married [Edward Hilton Young](/source/Edward_Hilton_Young%2C_1st_Baron_Kennet), later Lord Kennet, and remained a doughty defender of Scott's reputation until her death, aged 69, in 1947.[120]

An article in *[The Times](/source/The_Times)*, reporting on the glowing tributes paid to Scott in the New York press, claimed that both Amundsen and Shackleton were "[amazed] to hear that such a disaster could overtake a well-organised expedition".[121] On learning the details of Scott's death, Amundsen is reported to have said, "I would gladly forgo any honour or money if thereby I could have saved Scott his terrible death".[122] Scott was the better wordsmith of the two, and the story that spread throughout the world was largely that told by him, with Amundsen's victory reduced in the eyes of many to an unsporting stratagem.[123]

The response to Scott's final plea on behalf of the dependents of the dead was enormous by the standards of the day. The Mansion House Scott Memorial Fund closed at £75,000 (equivalent to £7,407,000 in 2025). This was not equally distributed; Scott's widow, son, mother and sisters received a total of £18,000 (equivalent to £1,778,000 in 2025). Wilson's widow received £8,500 (equivalent to £839,000 in 2025) and Bowers's mother received £4,500 (equivalent to £444,000 in 2025). Edgar Evans's widow, children, and mother received £1,500 (equivalent to £148,000 in 2025) between them.[124]

[Statue of Robert Falcon Scott, Christchurch](/source/Statue_of_Robert_Falcon_Scott%2C_Christchurch), New Zealand, sculpted by his widow [Kathleen Scott](/source/Kathleen_Scott)

In the dozen years following the tragedy, more than 30 monuments and memorials were set up in Britain alone, including the foundation of the [Scott Polar Research Institute](/source/Scott_Polar_Research_Institute) at [Cambridge](/source/Cambridge). Many more were established in other parts of the world, including a [statue sculpted by Scott's widow](/source/Statue_of_Robert_Falcon_Scott%2C_Christchurch) for his New Zealand base in Christchurch.[125] A number of institutions have relics and personal belongings from the expedition. Scott's snow shoes, sledging goggles and the book bag for his diary are held in the [National Maritime Museum](/source/National_Maritime_Museum) at Greenwich.[126] The [Museum of Oxford](/source/Museum_of_Oxford) contains among other items a [marmalade](/source/Marmalade) tin gifted to Scott by an Oxford businessman which was recovered from the site of his death.[127] The [Museum of Timekeeping](/source/British_Horological_Institute#Museum_of_Timekeeping) at [Upton Hall, Nottinghamshire](/source/Upton_Hall%2C_Nottinghamshire), England, has the pocket watch which was found with his body.[128] Scott's sledging flag is held in [Exeter Cathedral](/source/Exeter_Cathedral).

### Modern reactions

Main article: [Controversies surrounding Robert Falcon Scott](/source/Controversies_surrounding_Robert_Falcon_Scott)

Further information: [Comparison of the Amundsen and Scott expeditions](/source/Comparison_of_the_Amundsen_and_Scott_expeditions)

Memorial window in [Binton Church](/source/Binton_Church), Warwickshire, one of four panels. This one depicts the cairn erected over the site of Scott's last tent

Scott's reputation survived the period after [World War II](/source/World_War_II), beyond the 50th anniversary of his death.[129] In 1948, the film *[Scott of the Antarctic](/source/Scott_of_the_Antarctic_(film))* was released in cinemas and was the third most popular film in Britain the following year. It portrays the team spirit of the expedition and the harsh Antarctic environment, but also includes critical scenes such as Scott regarding his broken down motors and ruefully remembering Nansen's advice to take only dogs.[130] Evans and Cherry-Garrard were the only surviving expedition members to refuse participation in the film, but both re-published their respective books in its wake.

In 1966, [Reginald Pound](/source/Reginald_Pound), the first biographer given access to Scott's original sledging journal, revealed personal failings which cast a new light on Scott,[129] although Pound continued to endorse his heroism, writing of "a splendid sanity that would not be subdued".[131] Another book critical of Scott, [David Thomson](/source/David_Thomson_(film_critic))'s *Scott's Men*, was released in 1977. In Thomson's view, Scott was not a great man, "at least, not until near the end";[132] his planning is described as "haphazard" and "flawed",[133] his leadership characterised by lack of foresight.[134] Thus by the late 1970s, biographer Max Jones stated, "Scott's complex personality had been revealed and his methods questioned".[129]

In 1979 came the first extreme[135] attack on Scott, from [Roland Huntford](/source/Roland_Huntford)'s dual biography *Scott and Amundsen* in which Scott is depicted as a "heroic bungler".[136] Huntford's thesis had an immediate impact, becoming the contemporary orthodoxy.[137] After Huntford's book, several other mostly negative books about Captain Scott were published; [Francis Spufford](/source/Francis_Spufford), in a 1996 history not wholly antagonistic to Scott, refers to "devastating evidence of bungling",[138] concluding that "Scott doomed his companions, then covered his tracks with rhetoric".[139] Travel writer [Paul Theroux](/source/Paul_Theroux) summarised Scott as "confused and demoralised ... an enigma to his men, unprepared and a bungler".[140] This decline in Scott's reputation was accompanied by a corresponding rise in that of his erstwhile rival Shackleton, at first in the United States but eventually in Britain as well.[141] A 2002 nationwide poll in the United Kingdom to discover the "[100 Greatest Britons](/source/100_Greatest_Britons)" showed Shackleton in eleventh place, Scott well down the list at 54th.[141]

The 21st century has seen a shift of opinion in Scott's favour, in what cultural historian Stephanie Barczewski calls "a revision of the revisionist view".[142] Meteorologist [Susan Solomon](/source/Susan_Solomon)'s 2001 account *The Coldest March* ties the fate of Scott's party to the extraordinarily adverse Barrier weather conditions of February and March 1912 rather than to personal or organisational failings and, while not entirely questioning any criticism of Scott,[143][144] Solomon principally characterises the criticism as the "Myth of Scott as a bungler".[145]

In 2005 [David Crane](/source/David_Crane_(historian)) published a new Scott biography in which he comes to the conclusion that Scott is possibly the only figure in polar history except Lawrence Oates "so wholly obscured by legend".[146] According to Barczewski, he goes some way towards an assessment of Scott "free from the baggage of earlier interpretations".[142] What has happened to Scott's reputation, Crane argues, derives from the way the world has changed since the "hopeless heroism and obscene waste" of the First World War. At the time of Scott's death, people clutched at the proof he gave that the qualities that made Britain, indeed the [British Empire](/source/British_Empire), great were not extinct. Future generations mindful of the carnage that started 2+1⁄2 years later, the ideals of unquestionable duty, self-sacrifice, discipline, patriotism and hierarchy associated with his tragedy take on a different and more sinister colouring.[147]

Crane's main achievement, according to Barczewski, is the restoration of Scott's humanity, "far more effectively than either Fiennes's stridency or Solomon's scientific data."[142] *[Daily Telegraph](/source/Daily_Telegraph)* columnist Jasper Rees, likening the changes in explorers' reputations to climatic variations, suggests that "in the current Antarctic weather report, Scott is enjoying his first spell in the sun for twenty-five years".[148] The *New York Times Book Review* was more critical, pointing out Crane's support for Scott's account regarding the circumstances of the freeing of the *Discovery* from the pack ice, and concluded that "For all the many attractions of his book, David Crane offers no answers that convincingly exonerate Scott from a significant share of responsibility for his own demise."[149]

In 2012, Karen May published her discovery that Scott had issued written orders, before his march to the Pole, for Meares to meet the returning party with dog-teams, in contrast to Huntford's assertion in 1979 that Scott issued those vital instructions only as a casual oral order to Evans during the march to the Pole. According to May, "Huntford's scenario was pure invention based on an error; it has led a number of polar historians down a regrettable false trail".[150]

The expedition was the subject of *Terra Nova*,[151][152] a 1977 play by [Ted Tally](/source/Ted_Tally) (who later wrote the screenplay for *[The Silence of the Lambs](/source/The_Silence_of_the_Lambs_(film))*). [Beryl Bainbridge](/source/Beryl_Bainbridge)'s 1991 novel *[The Birthday Boys](/source/The_Birthday_Boys)* also gives a fictionalised account of the expedition, with monologues from the five men who died on the return from the pole.[153]

## See also

- [Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station](/source/Amundsen%E2%80%93Scott_South_Pole_Station), permanent base at the pole

- [Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration](/source/Heroic_Age_of_Antarctic_Exploration)

- [List of solved missing person cases (pre-1950)](/source/List_of_solved_missing_person_cases_(pre-1950))

## References

### Footnotes

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_1-1) ["Antarctic Fossils | Expeditions"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210501005659/https://expeditions.fieldmuseum.org/antarctic-dinosaurs/antarctic-fossils). *expeditions.fieldmuseum.org*. Archived from [the original](http://expeditions.fieldmuseum.org/antarctic-dinosaurs/antarctic-fossils) on 1 May 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Four things Captain Scott found in Antarctica"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15384729). BBC. Retrieved 11 October 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane200582_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane200582_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane200582_3-2) [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), p. 82.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMay2013_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMay2013_4-1) [May 2013](#CITEREFMay2013).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane200514–15_5-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), pp. 14–15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane200522_6-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), p. 22.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Scott's Expedition"](http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/past-exhibitions/race-to-the-end-of-the-earth/scott-s-expedition). *American Museum of Natural History*. Retrieved 15 June 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFiennes200317_8-0)** [Fiennes 2003](#CITEREFFiennes2003), p. 17.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["LADY ELLISON-MACARTNEY"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10279839). *The Mercury*. Vol. XCVIII, no. 13, 418. Tasmania, Australia. 2 April 1913. p. 5. Retrieved 22 September 2024 – via National Library of Australia.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane200523_10-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), p. 23.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane200534_11-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), p. 34.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane200550_12-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), p. 50.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHuntford1985121–123_13-0)** [Huntford 1985](#CITEREFHuntford1985), pp. 121–123.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane200539–40_14-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), pp. 39–40.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFiennes200321_15-0)** [Fiennes 2003](#CITEREFFiennes2003), p. 21.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFiennes200322_16-0)** [Fiennes 2003](#CITEREFFiennes2003), p. 22.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFiennes200323_17-0)** [Fiennes 2003](#CITEREFFiennes2003), p. 23.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane200559_18-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), p. 59.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane200584_19-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), p. 84.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane200590_20-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), p. 90.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPreston199928–29_21-0)** [Preston 1999](#CITEREFPreston1999), pp. 28–29.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane200563_22-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), p. 63.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** "The Discovery – Inspection by the King and Queen". *The Times*. No. 36526. London. 6 August 1901. p. 10.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["No. 27346"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/27346/page/5409). *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)*. 16 August 1901. p. 5409.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Scott's Sledging Flag"](https://www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk/history-heritage/explore-the-building/scotts-sledging-flag/). *Exeter Cathedral*. Retrieved 18 October 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEScott1905vol 1,_p. 170_26-0)** [Scott 1905](#CITEREFScott1905), vol 1, p. 170. "Our ignorance was deplorable."

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** "The dog-team is invested with a capacity of work which is beyond the emulation of party of men ... This method of using dogs is one which can only be adopted with reluctance. One cannot calmly contemplate the murder of animals which possess such intelligence and individuality" RF Scott *The Voyage of the Discovery* Vol I, Smith Elder & Co, London 1905, p. 465.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEScott1905211–227_28-0)** [Scott 1905](#CITEREFScott1905), pp. 211–227.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane2005161–167_29-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), pp. 161–167.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** Armston-Sheret, Edward (1 July 2019). ["Tainted bodies: scurvy, bad food and the reputation of the British National Antarctic Expedition, 1901–1904"](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305748818301610). *Journal of Historical Geography*. **65**: 19–28. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.jhg.2019.05.006](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.jhg.2019.05.006). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0305-7488](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0305-7488). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [202357562](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:202357562).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPreston199960–67_31-0)** [Preston 1999](#CITEREFPreston1999), pp. 60–67.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane2005270_32-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), p. 270.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFiennes2003148_33-0)** [Fiennes 2003](#CITEREFFiennes2003), p. 148.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHuntford1985229–230_34-0)** [Huntford 1985](#CITEREFHuntford1985), pp. 229–230.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane2005392–393_35-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), pp. 392–393.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPreston199978–79_36-0)** [Preston 1999](#CITEREFPreston1999), pp. 78–79.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPreston199967–68_37-0)** [Preston 1999](#CITEREFPreston1999), pp. 67–68.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane2005240–241_38-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), pp. 240–241.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane2005310_39-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), p. 310.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane2005396–397_40-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), pp. 396–397.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPreston1999113_41-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPreston1999113_41-1) [Preston 1999](#CITEREFPreston1999), p. 113.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane2005309_42-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), p. 309.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPreston199983–84_43-0)** [Preston 1999](#CITEREFPreston1999), pp. 83–84.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-44)** ["No. 27729"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/27729/page/7023). *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)*. 1 November 1904. p. 7023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPreston199986_45-0)** [Preston 1999](#CITEREFPreston1999), p. 86.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane2005334_46-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), p. 334.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-47)** Burt 1988, p. 211.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPreston199987_48-0)** [Preston 1999](#CITEREFPreston1999), p. 87.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane2005335_49-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane2005335_49-1) [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), p. 335.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERiffenburgh2005113–114_50-0)** [Riffenburgh 2005](#CITEREFRiffenburgh2005), pp. 113–114.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-51)** Ackerman, Naomi; Dex, Robert (15 October 2019). ["Antarctic explorer Scott's letter of complaint about rival Shackleton to go on display in exhibition"](https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/arts/stanfords-exhibition-lost-letter-robert-scott-ernest-shackleton-antarctic-a4261741.html). *Evening Standard*. Retrieved 18 October 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-52)** Hoare, Callum (17 October 2019). ["Antarctica discovery: Century-old letter reveals shock find after first exploration"](https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1191394/antarctica-captain-scot-letter-ernest-shackleton-discovery-expedition-stanford-spt). *Express*. Retrieved 18 October 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane2005335,_341_53-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), pp. 335, 341.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarczewski200752–53_54-0)** [Barczewski 2007](#CITEREFBarczewski2007), pp. 52–53.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFiennes2003144–145_55-0)** [Fiennes 2003](#CITEREFFiennes2003), pp. 144–145.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERiffenburgh2005118_56-0)** [Riffenburgh 2005](#CITEREFRiffenburgh2005), p. 118.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane2005344_57-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), p. 344.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPreston199994_58-0)** [Preston 1999](#CITEREFPreston1999), p. 94.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane2005350_59-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), p. 350.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane2005362–366_60-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), pp. 362–366.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane2005373–374_61-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), pp. 373–374.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane2005387_62-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), p. 387.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPreston1999100–101_63-0)** [Preston 1999](#CITEREFPreston1999), pp. 100–101.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFiennes2003161_64-0)** [Fiennes 2003](#CITEREFFiennes2003), p. 161.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane2005397–399_65-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane2005397–399_65-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane2005397–399_65-2) [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), pp. 397–399.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-66)** RF Scott (1908) *The Sledging Problem in the Antarctic, Men versus Motors*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-67)** Roland Huntford (2003) *Scott and Amundsen. Their Race to the South Pole. The Last Place on Earth.* Abacus, London, p. 224.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPreston1999107_68-0)** [Preston 1999](#CITEREFPreston1999), p. 107.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane2005432–433_69-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), pp. 432–433.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-70)** Roland Huntford (2003) *Scott and Amundsen. Their Race to the South Pole. The Last Place on Earth.* Abacus, London, p. 262.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPreston1999112_71-0)** [Preston 1999](#CITEREFPreston1999), p. 112.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane2005425–428_72-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), pp. 425–428.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHuxley1913a30–71_73-0)** [Huxley 1913a](#CITEREFHuxley1913a), pp. 30–71.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHuxley1913a106–107_74-0)** [Huxley 1913a](#CITEREFHuxley1913a), pp. 106–107.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-75)** ["Sledge flag, Robert Falcon Scott"](https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-212309). *Royal Museums Greenwich*. Retrieved 15 August 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-76)** ["This is the second of Scott's sledging flags on the Terra Nova expedition..."](https://www.christies.com/zh/lot/lot-4563762) *Christie's*. Retrieved 18 October 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane2005466_77-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), p. 466.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHuxley1913a187–188_78-0)** [Huxley 1913a](#CITEREFHuxley1913a), pp. 187–188.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-79)** Scott's diary, 22 February 1911: "The proper, as well as wiser, course for us is to proceed exactly as though this had not happened. To go forward and do our best for the honour of the country without fear or panic. There is no doubt that Amundsen's plan is a serious menace to ours. He has a shorter distance to the Pole by 60 miles (100 km)—I never thought he could have got so many dogs safely to the ice. His plan for running them seems excellent. But above all he can start his journey early in the season — an impossible condition with ponies."

1. **[^](#cite_ref-80)** Wilson's diary "As for Amundsen's prospects of reaching the Pole, I don't think they are very good ... I don't think he knows how bad an effect the monotony and the hard travelling surface of the Barrier is to animals," cited from Ranulph Fiennes *Captain Scott* Hodder and Stoughton, London 2003 p. 219.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-81)** Tryggve Gran's diary "If we reach the Pole, then Amundsen will reach the Pole, and weeks earlier. Our prospects are thus not exactly promising. The only thing that can save Scott is if an accident happens to Amundsen." cited from Ranulph Fiennes *Captain Scott* Hodder and Stoughton, London 2003 pp. 219ff

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHuxley1913a369_82-0)** [Huxley 1913a](#CITEREFHuxley1913a), p. 369.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHuxley1913a407_83-0)** [Huxley 1913a](#CITEREFHuxley1913a), p. 407.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEEvans1949187–188_84-0)** [Evans 1949](#CITEREFEvans1949), pp. 187–188.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECherry-Garrard1970424_85-0)** [Cherry-Garrard 1970](#CITEREFCherry-Garrard1970), p. 424.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHuxley1913a528_86-0)** [Huxley 1913a](#CITEREFHuxley1913a), p. 528.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-87)** ["Captain Scott's famous polar shipwreck as never seen before"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpwyvyqkx9yo). *BBC News*. 3 September 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHuxley1913a543–544_88-0)** [Huxley 1913a](#CITEREFHuxley1913a), pp. 543–544.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-89)** Scott's diary, 19 January 1912

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHuxley1913a551_90-0)** [Huxley 1913a](#CITEREFHuxley1913a), p. 551.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHuxley1913a560_91-0)** [Huxley 1913a](#CITEREFHuxley1913a), p. 560.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHuxley1913a572–573_92-0)** [Huxley 1913a](#CITEREFHuxley1913a), pp. 572–573.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHuxley1913a574–580_93-0)** [Huxley 1913a](#CITEREFHuxley1913a), pp. 574–580.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-94)** ["Karen May & Peter Forster on Cherry-Garrard's 1948 postscript"](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/antarctica/robert-falcon-scott/9770678/Scott-of-the-Antarctic-could-have-been-saved-if-his-orders-had-been-followed-say-scientists.html), The Telegraph, accessed 12 October 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESolomon2001292–294_95-0)** [Solomon 2001](#CITEREFSolomon2001), pp. 292–294.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMay20131–19_96-0)** [May 2013](#CITEREFMay2013), pp. 1–19.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-97)** "Oates disclosed his feet, the toes showing very bad indeed, evidently bitten by the late temperatures" Scott diary entry, 2 March 1912. "The result is telling on ... Oates, whose feet are in a wretched condition. One swelled up tremendously last night and he is very lame this morning" Scott diary entry 5 March 1912. "Titus Oates is very near the end" – Scott diary entry, 17 March 1912.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHuxley1913a591–592_98-0)** [Huxley 1913a](#CITEREFHuxley1913a), pp. 591–592.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHuxley1913a592_99-0)** [Huxley 1913a](#CITEREFHuxley1913a), p. 592.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-100)** "My right foot has gone, nearly all the toes—two days ago I was proud possessor of best feet. These are the steps of my downfall. Like an ass I mixed a small spoonful of curry powder with my melted pemmican—it gave me violent indigestion. I lay awake and in pain all night; woke and felt done on the march; foot went and I didn't know it. A very small measure of neglect and have a foot which is not pleasant to contemplate." Scott's diary 18 March 1912

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHuxley1913a594_101-0)** [Huxley 1913a](#CITEREFHuxley1913a), p. 594.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHuxley1913a595_102-0)** [Huxley 1913a](#CITEREFHuxley1913a), p. 595.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHuxley1913a597–604_103-0)** [Huxley 1913a](#CITEREFHuxley1913a), pp. 597–604.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHuxley1913a605–607_104-0)** [Huxley 1913a](#CITEREFHuxley1913a), pp. 605–607.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHuxley1913a596_105-0)** [Huxley 1913a](#CITEREFHuxley1913a), p. 596.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJones2003126_106-0)** [Jones 2003](#CITEREFJones2003), p. 126.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHuntford1985509_107-0)** [Huntford 1985](#CITEREFHuntford1985), p. 509.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-108)** ["Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge » Scott's Last Expedition"](https://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/museum/diaries/scottslastexpedition/#:~:text=Thursday,%20March%2029th%201912&text=Every%20day%20we%20have%20been,the%20end%20cannot%20be%20far.). *www.spri.cam.ac.uk*. Retrieved 25 June 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-109)** Flood, Alisonn (12 December 2018). ["Antarctic diary records horror at finding Captain Scott's body"](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/dec/12/antarctic-diary-finding-captain-scott-tryggve-gran). *The Guardian*. Retrieved 15 December 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHuxley1913b345–347_110-0)** [Huxley 1913b](#CITEREFHuxley1913b), pp. 345–347.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-111)** Coyne, Jerry (2010). *Why Evolution is True*. New York: Penguin Group. p. 99. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0143116646](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0143116646).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHuxley1913b398_112-0)** [Huxley 1913b](#CITEREFHuxley1913b), p. 398.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane20051–2_113-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), pp. 1–2.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPreston1999230_114-0)** [Preston 1999](#CITEREFPreston1999), p. 230.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJones2003199–201_115-0)** [Jones 2003](#CITEREFJones2003), pp. 199–201.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJones2003204_116-0)** [Jones 2003](#CITEREFJones2003), p. 204.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPreston1999231_117-0)** [Preston 1999](#CITEREFPreston1999), p. 231.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFiennes2003383_118-0)** [Fiennes 2003](#CITEREFFiennes2003), p. 383.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHuntford1985523_119-0)** [Huntford 1985](#CITEREFHuntford1985), p. 523.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPreston1999232_120-0)** [Preston 1999](#CITEREFPreston1999), p. 232.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-121)** Unattributed (11 February 1913). "The Polar Disaster. Captain Scott's Career, Naval Officer And Explorer". *The Times*. p. 10.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHuntford1985525_122-0)** [Huntford 1985](#CITEREFHuntford1985), p. 525.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAmundsen1976Publisher's_note_123-0)** [Amundsen 1976](#CITEREFAmundsen1976), Publisher's note.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJones2003106–108_124-0)** [Jones 2003](#CITEREFJones2003), pp. 106–108.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJones2003295–296_125-0)** [Jones 2003](#CITEREFJones2003), pp. 295–296.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-126)** ["Relics from Scott's Antarctic expedition"](https://www.rmg.co.uk/national-maritime-museum/attractions/relics-captain-robert-falcon-scotts-antarctic-expedition). *Royal Museums Greenwich*. Retrieved 10 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-127)** ["Museum of Oxford reopening: Century-old marmalade tin among exhibits"](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-58639707). *BBC News*. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-128)** Struthers, Rebecca (2023). *Hands of Time: A Watchmaker's History of Time* (Paperback). London: Holder & Stoughton. pp. 134–137. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781529339000](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781529339000).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJones2003287–289_129-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJones2003287–289_129-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJones2003287–289_129-2) [Jones 2003](#CITEREFJones2003), pp. 287–289.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-130)** ["BFI Screenonline: Scott of the Antarctic (1948)"](http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/457209). *www.screenonline.org.uk*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPound1966285–286_131-0)** [Pound 1966](#CITEREFPound1966), pp. 285–286.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEThomson1977preface,_xiii_132-0)** [Thomson 1977](#CITEREFThomson1977), preface, xiii.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEThomson1977153,_218_133-0)** [Thomson 1977](#CITEREFThomson1977), pp. 153, 218.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEThomson1977233_134-0)** [Thomson 1977](#CITEREFThomson1977), p. 233.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-135)** [Fiennes 2003](#CITEREFFiennes2003), p. 386. Francis Spufford, author of *I May Be Some Time*, wrote: "Huntford's assault on Scott was so extreme it plainly toppled over into absurdity".

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHuntford1985527_136-0)** [Huntford 1985](#CITEREFHuntford1985), p. 527.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJones20038_137-0)** [Jones 2003](#CITEREFJones2003), p. 8.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESpufford19975_138-0)** [Spufford 1997](#CITEREFSpufford1997), p. 5.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESpufford1997104–105_139-0)** [Spufford 1997](#CITEREFSpufford1997), pp. 104–105.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarczewski2007260_140-0)** [Barczewski 2007](#CITEREFBarczewski2007), p. 260.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarczewski2007283_141-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarczewski2007283_141-1) [Barczewski 2007](#CITEREFBarczewski2007), p. 283.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarczewski2007305–311_142-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarczewski2007305–311_142-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarczewski2007305–311_142-2) [Barczewski 2007](#CITEREFBarczewski2007), pp. 305–311.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESolomon2001309–327_143-0)** [Solomon 2001](#CITEREFSolomon2001), pp. 309–327.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBarczewski2007306_144-0)** [Barczewski 2007](#CITEREFBarczewski2007), p. 306.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESolomon2001xvi,_xvii,_124,_129_145-0)** [Solomon 2001](#CITEREFSolomon2001), pp. xvi, xvii, 124, 129.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane2005373_146-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), p. 373.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrane200512_147-0)** [Crane 2005](#CITEREFCrane2005), p. 12.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERees2004_148-0)** [Rees 2004](#CITEREFRees2004).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDore2006_149-0)** [Dore 2006](#CITEREFDore2006).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMay201372–90_150-0)** [May 2013](#CITEREFMay2013), pp. 72–90.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-151)** Biggs, Octavia. ["Terra Nova"](https://www.moreheadstate.edu/caudill-college-of-arts,-humanities-and-social-sci/school-of-the-creative-arts/theatre/the-little-company/director-notes). *[Moorhead State University](/source/Moorhead_State_University)*. Retrieved 24 November 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-152)** Chambers, Colin, ed. (2006). *The Continuum Companion to Twentieth Century Theatre*. Oxford Reference. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780199754724](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780199754724). Playwright and screenwriter. Tally gained early recognition with his ambitious first play Terra Nova (1977), which dramatized Scott's ill-fated 1912 expedition

1. **[^](#cite_ref-153)** ["Antarctic Antics"](https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/98/11/29/specials/bainbridge-birthday.html). *New York Times*. 17 April 1994.

### Bibliography

- [Amundsen, R.](/source/Roald_Amundsen) (1976) [1912]. *The South Pole*. London: C. Hurst & Company. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780903983471](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780903983471).

- Barczewski, S. (2007). *Antarctic Destinies: Scott, Shackleton and the Changing Face of Heroism*. London: Hembledon Continuum. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781847251923](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781847251923).

- [Cherry-Garrard, A.](/source/Apsley_Cherry-Garrard) (1970). [*The Worst Journey in the World*](/source/The_Worst_Journey_in_the_World) (1965 ed.). London: Penguin. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780140095012](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780140095012).

- [Crane, D.](/source/David_Crane_(historian)) (2005). *Scott of the Antarctic: A Life of Courage, and Tragedy in the Extreme South*. London: [HarperCollins](/source/HarperCollins). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780007150687](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780007150687).

- [Evans, E. R. G. R.](/source/Edward_Evans%2C_1st_Baron_Mountevans) (1949). *South with Scott*. London: Collins.

- [Fiennes, R.](/source/Ranulph_Fiennes) (2003). [*Captain Scott*](https://archive.org/details/captainscott0000fien). London: Hodder & Stoughton. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780340826973](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780340826973).

- [Huntford, R.](/source/Roland_Huntford) (1985). *The Last Place on Earth*. London: Pan Books. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780330288163](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780330288163). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [12976972](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/12976972).

- Huxley, L., ed. (1913a). *Scott's Last Expedition, Volume I*. London: Smith, Elder & Co. [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1522514](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1522514).

- Huxley, L., ed. (1913b). *Scott's Last Expedition, Volume II*. London: Smith, Elder & Co. [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1522514](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1522514).

- Jones, M. (2003). [*The Last Great Quest: Captain Scott's Antarctic Sacrifice*](https://archive.org/details/lastgreatquestca0000jone). [Oxford University Press](/source/Oxford_University_Press). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780192804839](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780192804839). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [59303598](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/59303598).

- Pound, R. (1966). *Scott of the Antarctic*. London: Cassell & Company.

- Preston, D. (1999). *A First Rate Tragedy: Captain Scott's Antarctic Expeditions* (paperback ed.). London: Constable. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780094795303](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780094795303).

- [Riffenburgh, B.](/source/Beau_Riffenburgh) (2005). *Nimrod: Ernest Shackleton*. London: Bloomsbury. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780747572534](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780747572534).

- Scott, R. F. (1905). *The Voyage of the Discovery*. London: Nelson.

- Sienicki, Krzysztof (2016). [*Captain Scott: Icy Deceits and Untold Realities (Three Volumes Bound as One)*](https://archive.org/details/captain-scott-icy-deceits-and-untold-realities-by-krzysztof-sienicki). Open Academic Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9788394452001](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9788394452001).

- [Solomon, S.](/source/Susan_Solomon) (2001). [*The Coldest March: Scott's Fatal Antarctic Expedition*](https://archive.org/details/coldestmarchscot00solo). London: [Yale University Press](/source/Yale_University_Press). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780300089677](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780300089677). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [45661501](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/45661501).

- Spufford, F. (1997). *I May Be Some Time: Ice and the English Imagination*. London: Faber & Faber. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780571179510](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780571179510).

- Thomson, D. (1977). [*Scott's Men*](https://archive.org/details/scottsmen0000thom). London: Allen Lane. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780713910346](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780713910346).

- [Turney, Chris](/source/Chris_Turney) (2012). *1912: The Year The World Discovered Antarctica*. Melbourne: Text Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781921922725](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781921922725).

### Online

- Dore, J. (3 December 2006). ["Crucible of Ice"](https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/03/books/review/Dore.t.html). *The New York Times*. Retrieved 14 October 2011.

- May, K. (January 2013). "Could Captain Scott have been saved? Revisiting Scott's last expedition". *Polar Record*. **49** (1): 72–90. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2013PoRec..49...72M](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2013PoRec..49...72M). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1017/S0032247411000751](https://doi.org/10.1017%2FS0032247411000751). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [145297104](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:145297104).

- Rees, J. (19 December 2004). ["Ice in our Hearts"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/3633687/Ice-in-our-hearts.html). *The Daily Telegraph*. London. Retrieved 14 October 2011.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Robert Falcon Scott](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Robert_Falcon_Scott).

Wikiquote has quotations related to ***[Robert Falcon Scott](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Special:Search/Robert_Falcon_Scott)***.

- [Works by Robert Falcon Scott](https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/creator/7604) at the [Biodiversity Heritage Library](/source/Biodiversity_Heritage_Library)

- [Works by Robert Falcon Scott](https://librivox.org/author/294) at [LibriVox](/source/LibriVox) (public domain audiobooks)

- [Works by Robert Falcon Scott](https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL537683A) at [Open Library](/source/Open_Library)

- [Works by Robert Falcon Scott](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/4033) at [Project Gutenberg](/source/Project_Gutenberg)

- [Works by or about Robert Falcon Scott](https://archive.org/search.php?query=%28%28subject%3A%22Scott%2C%20Robert%20Falcon%22%20OR%20subject%3A%22Scott%2C%20Robert%20F%2E%22%20OR%20subject%3A%22Scott%2C%20R%2E%20F%2E%22%20OR%20subject%3A%22Robert%20Falcon%20Scott%22%20OR%20subject%3A%22Robert%20F%2E%20Scott%22%20OR%20subject%3A%22R%2E%20F%2E%20Scott%22%20OR%20subject%3A%22Scott%2C%20Robert%22%20OR%20subject%3A%22Robert%20Scott%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22Robert%20Falcon%20Scott%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22Robert%20F%2E%20Scott%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22R%2E%20F%2E%20Scott%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22R%2E%20Falcon%20Scott%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22Scott%2C%20Robert%20Falcon%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22Scott%2C%20Robert%20F%2E%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22Scott%2C%20R%2E%20F%2E%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22Scott%2C%20R%2E%20Falcon%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22Robert%20Scott%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22Scott%2C%20Robert%22%20OR%20title%3A%22Robert%20Falcon%20Scott%22%20OR%20title%3A%22Robert%20F%2E%20Scott%22%20OR%20title%3A%22R%2E%20F%2E%20Scott%22%20OR%20title%3A%22Robert%20Scott%22%20OR%20description%3A%22Robert%20Falcon%20Scott%22%20OR%20description%3A%22Robert%20F%2E%20Scott%22%20OR%20description%3A%22R%2E%20F%2E%20Scott%22%20OR%20description%3A%22Scott%2C%20Robert%20Falcon%22%20OR%20description%3A%22Scott%2C%20Robert%20F%2E%22%20OR%20description%3A%22Robert%20Scott%22%20OR%20description%3A%22Scott%2C%20Robert%22%29%20OR%20%28%221868-1912%22%20AND%20Scott%29%29%20AND%20%28-mediatype:software%29) at the [Internet Archive](/source/Internet_Archive)

v t e Antarctica Geography South Pole Antarctic sea ice Climate climate change heat waves Weather Danger Classification Geology Glaciers Ice shelves Ice streams Mountains Places Tundra Volcanoes Regions Biogeographic realm Antarctic Peninsula East Antarctica ice sheet shield Extreme points Floristic kingdom Islands Ridge A South Pole (geographic) magnetic West Antarctica ice sheet Bodies of water Lake CECs Lake Mercer Lake Vostok Lakes subglacial McMurdo Sound Rivers Ross Sea Southern Ocean Weddell Sea Life Dinosaurs Flora Microorganisms Wildlife birds mammals krill History Expeditions Heroic Age World War II Colonization COVID-19 pandemic Historic Sites and Monuments Years Politics Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs Military activity National programs Territorial claims Treaty System Elections Society Antarctic English Antarctica Day Crime Demographics Disasters Economy Field camps Firefighting Flags list Food Gateway cities Midwinter Day Organizations Protected areas Religion churches Research stations Telecommunications Time Tourism Transport airports Women Famous explorers Roald Amundsen Richard E. Byrd Douglas Mawson James Clark Ross Robert Falcon Scott Ernest Shackleton Ui-te-Rangiora (legendary) Category Commons Bibliography • Index

v t e Polar exploration Arctic Ocean History Expeditions Research stations Farthest North North Pole Barentsz Heemskerck Hudson Marmaduke Carolus Parry North magnetic pole J. Ross J. C. Ross Abernethy Kane Hayes Polaris expedition Polaris C. F. Hall Bessels British Arctic Expedition HMS Alert Nares HMS Discovery Stephenson Markham Lady Franklin Bay Expedition Greely Lockwood Brainard Nansen's Fram expedition Fram Nansen Johansen Sverdrup Jason Amedeo Andrée's balloon expedition S. A. Andrée F. Cook Peary’s Arctic Expedition SS Roosevelt Peary Henson Sedov Byrd Norge Amundsen Nobile Wisting Riiser-Larsen Ellsworth Italia Nautilus Wilkins ANT-25 Chkalov Baydukov Belyakov Drifting ice stations NP-1 Papanin Shirshov E. Fyodorov Krenkel NP-36 NP-37 Georgiy Sedov Badygin Wiese USS Nautilus USS Skate Plaisted Herbert NS Arktika Barneo Arktika 2007 Mir submersibles Sagalevich Chilingarov Iceland Greenland Pytheas Brendan Papar Vikings Naddodd Garðar Ingólfr Norse settlement of North America Gunnbjörn Snæbjörn galti Erik the Red Christian IV's expeditions J. Hall Cunningham Lindenov C. Richardson Danish colonization Egede Scoresby Jason Nansen Sverdrup Peary Rasmussen Northwest Passage Northern Canada Cabot G. Corte-Real M. Corte-Real Frobisher Gilbert Davis Hudson Discovery Bylot Baffin Munk I. Fyodorov HMS Resolution J. Cook HMS Discovery Clerke Mackenzie Kotzebue J. Ross HMS Griper Parry HMS Hecla Lyon HMS Fury Hoppner Crozier J. C. Ross Coppermine expedition Franklin Back Dease Simpson HMS Blossom Beechey Franklin's lost expedition HMS Erebus HMS Terror Collinson Rae–Richardson expedition Rae J. Richardson Austin McClure expedition HMS Investigator McClure HMS Resolute Kellett Belcher Kennedy Bellot Isabel Inglefield 2nd Grinnell expedition USS Advance Kane Fox McClintock HMS Pandora Young Fram Sverdrup Gjøa Amundsen Rasmussen Karluk Stefansson Bartlett St. Roch H. Larsen Cowper North East Passage Russian Arctic Pomors Koch boats Willoughby Chancellor Barentsz Heemskerck Mangazeya Hudson Poole Siberian Cossacks Perfilyev Stadukhin Dezhnev Popov Ivanov Vagin Permyakov Great Northern Expedition Bering Chirikov Malygin Ovtsyn Minin V. Pronchishchev T. Pronchishcheva Chelyuskin Kh. Laptev D. Laptev Chichagov Lyakhov Billings Sannikov Gedenshtrom Wrangel Matyushkin Anjou Litke Lavrov Pakhtusov Tsivolko Middendorff Austro-Hungarian Expedition Weyprecht Payer Dahl Vega Expedition A. E. Nordenskiöld Palander Jeannette expedition USS Jeannette De Long Melville Yermak Makarov Zarya Toll Kolomeitsev Matisen Kolchak Sedov Rusanov expedition Rusanov Kuchin Brusilov expedition Sv. Anna Brusilov Albanov Konrad Wiese Nagórski Taymyr / Vaygach Vilkitsky Maud Amundsen AARI Samoylovich Begichev Urvantsev Sadko Ushakov Glavsevmorput Schmidt Aviaarktika Shevelev A. Sibiryakov Voronin Chelyuskin Krassin Gakkel Nuclear-powered icebreakers Lenin Arktika-class icebreaker Antarctic Continent History Expeditions Antarctic/Southern Ocean Roché Bouvet Kerguelen HMS Resolution J. Cook HMS Adventure Furneaux Smith San Telmo Vostok Bellingshausen Mirny Lazarev Bransfield Palmer Davis Weddell Morrell Astrolabe Dumont d'Urville United States Exploring Expedition USS Vincennes Wilkes USS Porpoise Ringgold Ross expedition HMS Erebus (J. C. Ross Abernethy) HMS Terror (Crozier) Cooper Challenger expedition HMS Challenger Nares Murray Jason C. A. Larsen "Heroic Age" Belgian Antarctic Expedition Belgica de Gerlache Lecointe Amundsen Cook Arctowski Racoviță Dobrowolski Southern Cross Southern Cross Borchgrevink Discovery Discovery Discovery Hut Gauss Gauss Drygalski Swedish Antarctic Expedition Antarctic O. Nordenskjöld C. A. Larsen Scottish Antarctic Expedition Bruce Scotia Orcadas Base Nimrod Expedition Nimrod French Antarctic Expeditions Pourquoi-Pas Charcot Japanese Antarctic Expedition Shirase Amundsen's South Pole expedition Fram Amundsen Framheim Polheim Terra Nova Terra Nova Scott Wilson E. R. Evans Crean Lashly Filchner Australasian Antarctic Expedition SY Aurora Mawson Far Eastern Party Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition Endurance Shackleton Wild James Caird Ross Sea party Mackintosh Shackleton–Rowett Expedition Quest IPY · IGY Modern research Christensen Byrd BANZARE BGLE Rymill New Swabia Ritscher Operation Tabarin Marr Operation Highjump Captain Arturo Prat Base British Antarctic Survey Operation Windmill Ketchum Ronne Expedition F. Ronne E. Ronne Schlossbach Operation Deep Freeze McMurdo Station Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition Hillary V. Fuchs Soviet Antarctic Expeditions 1st Somov Klenova Mirny 2nd Tryoshnikov 3rd Tolstikov Antarctic Treaty System Transglobe Expedition Fiennes Burton Lake Vostok Kapitsa Farthest South South Pole HMS Resolution J. Cook HMS Adventure Furneaux Weddell HMS Erebus J. C. Ross HMS Terror Crozier Southern Cross Borchgrevink Discovery Barne Nimrod Shackleton Wild Marshall Adams South magnetic pole Mawson David Mackay Amundsen's South Pole expedition Fram Amundsen Bjaaland Helmer Hassel Wisting Polheim Terra Nova Scott E. Evans Oates Wilson Bowers Cherry-Garrard Byrd Balchen McKinley Dufek Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station Hillary V. Fuchs Pole of Cold Vostok Station Pole of inaccessibility Pole of Inaccessibility research station Tolstikov Crary A. Fuchs Messner

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Robert Falcon Scott](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Falcon_Scott) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Falcon_Scott?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.