Ernest Shackleton was a polar explorer who was born at Kilkea Co Kildare, Ireland on February 15th 1874. He was the leader of expeditions to explore the Antarctic. He was knighted by King Edward VII following his second expedition in 1909. On that occasion Shackleton came within 180km of the South Pole. Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen led the Antarctic expedition which was the first to reach the South Pole on December 14th 1911.
With the race for the South Pole over Shackleton set out to make the first land crossing of the Antarctic continent. On August 6th 1914 he sailed for the Antarctic on board the ship Endurance with a crew of 27. It was his third expedition to the Antarctic. Though he did not succeed his expedition is recognised as an epic feat of endurance. Shackleton led an expedition to explore the Antarctic coast in 1921. He died on board his ship the Quest. The Quest at the time was moored in South Georgia, where he is buried.
Ernest Shackleton, polar explorer who was a native of Co Kildare, Ireland died while his ship was moored in South Georgia in the year 1922 On This Day.
Ernest Shackleton
Shackleton’s Endurance
Shackleton Range