Peary and Cook: The Battle for the North Pole

Paper Summary:

In this paper, the famous battle between Robert E. Peary and Frederick Cook is detailed. Both explorers claimed to be the first to reach the North Pole. The author argues that this acrimonious battle developed and continues to persist almost 100 years later because of the personalities of the men themselves. Also cited are public doubts about each of their achievements , the politics of the time and the mystique of the North Pole. The author also includes material that may disprove the actual achievements of both men, and how the controversy attracted the public to take sides. The paper concludes by stating that the story demonstrates the depths of mankind's obsession with reaching nature's limits and conquering the North Pole.

From the Paper:

"Out of such an experience, one might expect an uncommon bond of friendship to develop. Instead, Peary and Cook spent their later years as bitter enemies embroiled in one of the major controversies of the early part of the 20th century - both of the men claimed to be the first to reach the North Pole; Peary in 1909 and Cook in 1908. Both camps initiated a war to discredit the other side and the men took the fight to the grave and, in a manner, beyond it. Both sides continue to use the Internet, books and articles to wage a nasty war of allegations, accusing each other of everything from racism to outright fraud."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Abbot, Deborah. "Hero of the Arctic: A new biography of polar explorer Matthew Henson," Chicago Sun-Times, Feb 5, 2006. Retrieved Sept. 10, 2006 from http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20060205/ai_n16052644.
• Bradshaw, Peter. "Men Who Are Poles Apart," Evening Standard (London). May 22, 1998. Retrieved Sept. 9, 2006 from http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4153/is_19980522/ai_n11865447.
• Curtis, Gene. "Peary finds North Pole; Cook feted in Copenhagen," Tulsa World (Tulsa, Okla.). Sept. 7, 2005.
• Doyle, Alister. "Norway runs its flag up the Pole and hauls Old Glory down," Sunday Herald (London). May 13, 2001. Retrieved Sept. 9, 2006 from http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20010513/ai_n13960173.
• Frederick A. Cook Society. 2001. Available at www.cookpolar.org. Retrieved Sept. 11, 2006 from http://www.cookpolar.org.

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