Admiral Richard E. Byrd Papers

Rear Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd was a polar explorer, and an aviator and officer for the United States Navy. From 1925-1957, Byrd led or participated in seven expeditions in the Arctic regions and Antarctica. Many of Byrd’s earlier expeditions were privately funded while his later expeditions were done in conjunction with the United States government. In addition to the scientific investigations that occurred during these expeditions, the explorations of Antarctica accounted for the discovery of territory on the continent claimed for the United States. Byrd’s expeditions attracted major public attention to himself and the polar regions, leading to extensive media coverage and honors. The Admiral Richard E. Byrd Papers, dated 1839-2014, with the bulk of the materials dating from 1925-1970, contain correspondence, publications and printed materials, expeditionary records, newspaper clippings, photographs, scrapbooks, maps and charts, artifacts, audio and video recordings, and motion picture films.