ARMITAGE, Albert B.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Cadet to Commodore. First edition of Armitage's autobiography, with two chapters devoted to the groundbreaking Discovery Expedition led by Robert Falcon Scott. Armitage served as the navigator and second-in-command on the Discovery and led the first sledging party to reach the Polar Plateau.The expedition launched the careers of many figures who would later feature prominently in the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, including Ernest Shackleton, Robert Falcon Scott, and Edward Wilson. Armitage's book gives a rare insight into the relationship between the expedition members. "Armitage was attracted to Scott but critical of him. Armitage led the excursion to the interior of Victoria Land in the 1902-3 season and explains why Scott, rather than he, led the advance into the same region the following year. Armitage had expected to extend his work of the previous year, so when Scott excluded him, he felt brushed aside. Huntford believed Scott was jealous and wanted to limit the credit Armitage would receive" (Rosove).

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