Rauner Special Collections Finding Aids

Administrative Information

The processing of this collection was supported by a Title II-C grant from the U.S. Department of Education

INTRODUCTION

Frederick Albert Cook (1865-1940) began his career as an explorer in 1891 as a member of Peary's first expedition to North Greenland. He served as surgeon of the Belgian Expedition to the Antarctic, 1897-99. As leader of an expedition to Mt. McKinley in 1903-6, he claimed the first ascent of the Alaska peak. His most controversial expedition was his 1908 “discovery of the North Pole”. His claim was rejected first by scientists in Copenhagen, and Cook's reputation as an explorer was ruined permanently.

In the 1920's Cook was convicted of mail fraud, and he served a term of imprisonment at Leavenworth Penitentiary.

The papers of Frederick Albert Cook contain articles, correspondence, and newsclippings dealing with Cook's life and focusing on the controversial claims made by Cook. Of particular interest are autobiographical notes (20 1.) written in Cook's own hand and a 1911 letter to Mr. Colburn stating “I do not claim to have reached the exact pin-point of the earth's axis”. Cook's papers occupy.5 lin. ft. and are a part of the Vilhjalmur Stefansson Collection on the Polar Regions. Additional information on Cook may be gained in the papers of William Herbert Hobbs and in papers entitled Peary-Cook Controversy

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