How many times did Mawson go to Antarctica?
From 1911 to 1914 Mawson led the Australasian Antarctic Expedition and from 1929 to 1931 directed the combined British, Australian, and New Zealand Antarctic Expedition. His explorations enabled Australia to claim some 2,500,000 square miles (6,475,000 square km) of the Antarctic continent.
Did Douglas Mawson survive?
He died at his Brighton home on 14 October 1958 from a cerebral haemorrhage. He was 76 years old. At the time of his death he had still not completed editorial work on all the papers resulting from his expedition, and this was completed by his eldest daughter, Patricia, only in 1975.
What happened to Douglas Mawson?
Mawson died at his Brighton home on 14 October 1958 following cerebral haemorrhage.
Who was Xavier Mertz?
Xavier Mertz was a Swiss explorer from Basel. He took part in the Far Eastern Party, a 1912–13 sledging journey of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE), which claimed his life. The Mertz Glacier is named after him. As a young man, Mertz studied law and science, specialising in glacier and mountain formations.
Why did Douglas Mawson want to explore Antarctica?
Mawson wanted Australia to have its own mark on the Antarctic map. With an impressive ability to raise funds, alongside a desire to advance scientific knowledge, Mawson got the go-ahead for an Australian-led Antarctic research expedition.
What was Douglas Mawson doing on his expedition?
Mawson’s plan was to split his expedition into four groups, one to man base camp and the other three to head into the interior to do scientific work. He nominated himself to lead what was known as the Far Eastern Shore Party—a three-man team assigned to survey several glaciers hundreds of miles from base.
Did Douglas Mawson have a family?
Mawson had married, on 31 March 1914 at Holy Trinity Church, Balaclava, Melbourne, Francisca Adriana (Paquita) Delprat (1891-1974), daughter of Guillaume Delprat; they had two daughters. Lady Mawson was tall and stately and they made a striking couple in the social life of Adelaide and of the university.