In the history of exploration, Vilhjalmur Stefansson is one of the names that keeps returning.
The record lists Vilhjalmur Stefansson as Canadian-born explorer (1879–1962).
Vilhjalmur Stefansson was born at Gimli in 1879. His recorded nationality is Canada.
Nineteenth-century exploration turned inland - Africa, Asia and Australia - and was entangled from the start with empire, missions and the geographical societies that funded it.
He is recorded as explorer, university teacher and ethnographer.
Distance was the hardest problem of the pre-modern world, and it was solved by people willing to risk it.
Recognition followed: Founder’s Medal, Charles P. Daly Medal, Honorary Member of the American Polar Society and Person of National Historic Significance.
Vilhjalmur Stefansson died in 1962, aged 83. The routes and charts outlived the journey, which is how exploration is actually measured.
Achievements
- Founder’s Medal
- Charles P. Daly Medal
- Honorary Member of the American Polar Society
- Person of National Historic Significance
- Recorded as explorer, university teacher and ethnographer
