Materials are arranged in the order created during the interview process, with the "Notes" folder containing administrative materials created after the interview.
Accession No. PA.2000.0055: Donald McLean, 1997
[identification of item], Donald McLean Oral History, SPEC.PA.56.0073, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program, Ohio State University
Contains audiocassettes.
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Processed by: Audrey Wimbiscus, 2020 March; Finding aid written by: Audrey Wimbiscus, Sam Devereaux, 2020 November
Dr. Donald H. McLean (1922-2004) was a medical doctor and surgeon. In 1946, Finn Ronne invited McLean to join his Antarctic expedition while McLean was interning at New Rochelle Hospital in New York. On the way to the base near Stonington Island, Antarctica, McLean took care of sick sled dogs. While they were in Antarctica, there were no serious cases of injury or illness for members of the expedition, but McLean treated minor issues. In addition to providing medical care for the team, he helped Andy Thompson, a geophysicist, take seismograph recordings. McLean visited the British Antarctic base on several occasions and went with the British on a survey trip across the Palmer Peninsula. The expedition ended, and McLean returned to the United States in 1948. McLean then served for two years in the United States Navy as the Base Medical Officer in Greenland. When his naval service ended in 1950, McLean went into private medical practice in Alaska.
The Donald McLean Oral History, dated 1997, 2001-2002, contains audio recordings, administrative information, and transcripts of the interview between McLean and Brian Shoemaker of the American Polar Society conducted on April 27, 1997. Major topics discussed include McLean's memories of his time with the Ronne Antarctic Expedition in 1946-1947, Ronne's leadership style, and McLean's further experiences in the polar regions while in the United States Navy.