OLLI Talks: The Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration (Drake Hall)

Jim Collinson has walked in the footsteps of the heroes of early Antarctic exploration. His expeditions to this region give him a unique perspective as he retells the history of the Heroic Age of Exploration, which began in 1895 when the 6th International Geographical Congress proposed "the exploration of the Antarctic Regions is the greatest piece of geographical exploration still to be taken." Several scientific expeditions followed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including British and Norwegians' attempts to reach the South Pole. The Heroic Era ended with an unsuccessful Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition from 1914-17. Explore this history with an expert whose career was focused on the continuation of strides made by these courageous explorers.   

Dr. Jim Collinson is an emeritus professor in the School of Earth Sciences and the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center at The Ohio State University. His research has taken him throughout the Transantarctic and Ellsworth Mountains. After retirement, he served as a lecturer on Antarctic cruise ships. 

Notes

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Recommendations

• Bickel, Lennard, Mawson's Will: The Greatest Polar Survival Story Ever Written - Amazon, $10.95. Huntford, Roland, The Last Place on Earth: Scott and Amundsen's Race to the South Pole (or older version) Scott and Amundsen - Amazon, $16.89  
• Video: The Last Place on Earth (1985 Masterpiece Theatre miniseries (DVD, Prime Video, Youtube.com). Lansing, Alfred, Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage - Amazon, $12.59.  
• Larson, Edward J., An Empire of Ice: Scott, Shackleton, and the Heroic Age of Antarctica - Amazon, $16.00 

Testimonials

"The personal and professional experience Jim brought to his class was invaluable."