The Antarctic is a more recent discovery than one might expect. Throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s, people fought to reach the South Pole. Eventually, a Norewegian explorer named Amundsen completed the task. However, Sir Ernest Shackleton, who had been on many expeditions to the South Pole before, was disappointed. He loved the Antarctic, and wanted to be the one to reach the South Pole. He had been knighted on a previous mission for getting under 100 kilometers away from the South Pole, and he was determined to do something more. This determination is what sparked his goal to cross the entire Antarctic continent. Despite not once setting foot on Antarctic land during his Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, Sir Ernest Shackleton’s legacy lives on through his decisive leadership. Through perilous conditions and the crew beginning to give up hope, Ernest Shackleton managed to bring everyone back to stable ground alive.

Mrs. Chippy, the ship's cat, sitting on the shoulder of Perce Blackborow, the sto​​​​​​​waway.

A portrait of Sir Ernest Shackleton. Scott Polar Research Institute.