The Centenary of the Birth of Frederick A. Cook

Abstract

Reviews the controversy as to whether Cook or Peary was first to reach the North Pole, and presents some considerations indicating the authenticity of Cook's claim: his feasable method of travel and proven ability to make the journey, his accurate description of the polar region, and his consistent story. Also, Cook's discoveries of a westerly drift of ice northwest of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and of ice islands are in line with later findings in the area.