At the Pole
Frederick A. Cook
(1865-1940)
Polar Diary Cape Sparbo
Page 2
May 25, 1907-June 13, 1909
Manuscript Division
Gift of Janet Cook Vetter, 1959 (110.3)
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What became known as the "Polar Controversy" began
on September 1, 1909, when Dr. Frederick A. Cook cabled from the
Shetland Islands (north of the Scottish mainland) that he had
reached the North Pole on April 21, 1908. His claim was countered
four days later by U.S. Navy officer Robert E. Peary, who said
that Cook was a fraud and claimed that he had reached the Pole
first. This Polar notebook is one of several kept by Cook and
contains a purported account of his expedition by dog sled. This
typical page exemplifies how Cook's strange writing gaps, crossed-out
words, changed dates, erasures, and altered instrument readings
only fueled further accusations of inconsistencies, discrepancies,
and finally deliberate deception.
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