Guide to the Robert E. Peary Collection, 1907-1909, 2002-2006 SPEC.PA.56.0018 Finding aid prepared by Sierra Sales Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections
1858 Neil Avenue Columbus, OH, 43210
2026 May This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2026-05-18T10:47-0400 English Describing Archives: A Content Standard Robert E. Peary Collection SPEC.PA.56.0018 Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections 0.76 Cubic feet 1907-1909, 2002-2006 Robert Edwin Peary (1856-1920) was an American explorer and officer in the United States Navy who made several expeditions to the Arctic in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He has long been credited as the first man to reach the North Pole, a claim that has been disputed. The Robert E. Peary Papers, dated 1907-1909, 2002-2006, contains galley proofs and edited typescripts, a photocopy and microfilm reel of a physician diary, and a compact disc. (2) artifacts; (1) 5" letter document box English Arrangement of Materials

Materials are arranged in chronological order by the original item date. Items with the same original date are further arranged alphabetically by title.

 Acquisitions Information

Accession No. PA.1997.0001: Ohio State University Rare Books and Manuscripts Library, 1997 October; Accession No. PA.2003.0014: Ralph Myerson, 2002 April; Accession No. PA.2006.0016: Wayne Bracken, 2006 September

 Preferred Citation

[identification of item], Robert E. Peary Collection, SPEC.PA.56.0018, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program, Ohio State University

 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Contains a compact disc and a microfilm reel

 Access to Materials

Materials in this collection are available for use, but may be used in the University Archives reading room only. Audio/visual materials and computer media may need a use copy produced before access is allowed. Contact the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program at polararchives@osu.edu for more information.

 Use of Materials

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright, and are made available for research and educational purposes. In general, the OSU Libraries do not own the copyright for materials from our collections and cannot grant copyright permissions for these materials. The user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exceptions to the law. Works in the public domain are not protected by copyright and do not require permission to use.

 Processing Information

Processed by: Sierra Sales, 2026 May; Finding aid written by: Sierra Sales, 2026 May

 Biographical Note

Robert Edwin Peary (1856-1920) was an American explorer and officer in the United States Navy who made several expeditions to the Arctic in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He has long been credited as the first man to reach the North Pole, a claim that has been disputed. Peary visited the Arctic for the first time in 1886, and he made an unsuccessful attempt to cross Greenland by dogsled. During the Peary Expedition to Greenland, 1891-1892, he reached Independence Fjord in northern Greenland and concluded that Greenland was an island. During Peary's 1898-1902 expedition to reach the North Pole, Dr. Thomas Dedrick, a physician accompanying the expedition, had to amputate seven of Peary’s toes due to frostbite. Shortly after, Dr. Dedrick left the expedition due to differences with Peary.

The American Geographical Society and the Royal Geographical Society of London honored Peary for mapping uncharted areas in northern Canada and his discovery of Cape Morris Jesup in 1900. In 1909, Peary and his expedition crew traveled to the North Pole. Upon returning to America, Peary learned that Dr. Frederick A. Cook, a surgeon and ethnographer on Peary’s expedition to Greenland, claimed to have reached the North Pole in 1908. However, Peary was still credited with reaching the North Pole first. After retiring from the military, Peary joined the Explorers Club and the National Aerial Coast Patrol Commission.

 Scope and Contents

The Robert E. Peary Collection, dated 1907-1909, 2002-2006, consists of materials about Robert E. Peary and his journey to the North Pole. This collection contains a photocopy and microfilm reel of a 1898-1901 physician’s diary kept by Dr. Thomas Dedrick, a surgeon who accompanied Peary on his 1898-1902 expedition to the North Pole. Page numbers are written on the photocopies. This collection also includes galley proofs and typescripts for Hampton’s Magazine article, “The Discovery of the North Pole.” Peary edited the galley proofs and typescripts with notes and corrections. Also included is a compact disc that contains a copy of an original 1909 Victor Record recording of Peary reading an excerpt of “The Discovery of the North Pole.” The original format of this recording is not in this collection.

 Dedrick, Thomas S. Peary, Robert E. (Robert Edwin), 1856-1920 Arctic regions--Discovery and exploration--American--19th century Arctic regions--Discovery and exploration--American--20th century Compact discs Discoveries in geography--American Explorers--Arctic regions--19th century Explorers--Arctic regions--20th century Explorers--North Pole--20th century Galley proofs Medicine--Practice--Arctic regions--19th century Medicine--Practice--Arctic regions--20th century Microfilms North Pole--Discovery and exploration--American--20th century Photocopies Physicians--Arctic regions--19th century Physicians--Arctic regions--20th century Typescripts (Dedrick) Dr. Thomas physician diary (1898-1901) microfilm reel copy 1 1 2002 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Microfilm (Dedrick) Dr. Thomas physician diary (1898-1901) photocopy 1 1-6 2002 "The Discovery of the North Pole" original galleys and typescript corrected by Peary 1-2 1907-1909 "The Discovery of the North Pole," by Commander Robert E. Peary (1909) Victor Record compact disc copy 1 1 2006 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Compact disc; sound; approximate run time: unknown