A doctorate from the University of Rome earned by Arnaldo Faustini at age 19 launched his career as a polar geographer and scientific editor. During his lifetime from 1872 to 1944, the Italian academic specialized in high-latitude regions, establishing himself as a significant translator and cartographer who maintained close professional ties to the era's foremost polar explorers.
Professional Cartography and Polar Interests
Faustini functioned as a scientific editor for a newspaper in Rome while focusing his research on polar regions. He authored 19 books on the subject, all written in Italian, alongside a prolific output of articles. His technical proficiency extended to cartography, most notably producing maps for the Belgian Antarctic Expedition. His collaboration with Adrien de Gerlache proved particularly significant, as he translated the French account of the Belgica voyage into Italian. In recognition of these contributions, De Gerlache gifted him the flag flown from the SS Belgica.
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By 1915, his reputation in geography drew an invitation from polar explorer Augustus Greely to conduct a lecture tour in the United States. During his appearance at Columbia University, he met Amelia Del Colle, who subsequently became his wife. His linguistic capabilities were extensive, encompassing fluency in French, English, Spanish, and Russian, with an additional working knowledge of Greek.
Geographical Research and Legacy
Beyond his polar studies, Faustini explored physical geography through the lens of geological structures. In 1918, he compiled an unpublished manuscript titled Catalogo Descrittivo di Ponti ed Archi Naturali, which he identified as his greatest work in the field. This document contained topographical sketches, illustrations, and comprehensive indexes. Following his death in 1944 in San Rafael, his archives regarding the Arctic and Antarctic were preserved at the Istituto Geografico Polare Silvio Zavatti in Fermo. His contributions are commemorated by a crater on the Moon that bears his name.
Fast facts
- Born: 1872, Rome
- Died: 1944, San Rafael
- Citizenship: Kingdom of Italy
- Academic Qualification: Doctorate, University of Rome, age 19
- Languages: Italian, French, English, Spanish, Russian, Greek
- Key Recognition: Crater Faustini on the Moon
Questions readers ask
What subjects did Arnaldo Faustini study?
He focused on polar geography, cartography, and physical geography, specifically natural bridges and arches.
Which explorers did he know personally?
His professional network included Roald Amundsen, Ernest Shackleton, Robert F. Scott, and Adrien de Gerlache.
Achievements
- Recorded as cartographer and translator
