Accession No. PA.2000.0005: Timothy Stancliff, 2000 May
[identification of item], “My Life and Good Times” Manuscript by Olin Stancliff, SPEC.PA.56.5014, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program, Ohio State University
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Processed by: Sierra Sales, 2026 May; Finding aid written by: Sierra Sales, 2026 May
Olin Stancliff (1905-2003) was a member of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition II (1933-1935). Stancliff was born in Geneva, Ohio, but his family later moved to Erie, Pennsylvania. In 1928, Stancliff became an Eagle Scout. He worked at a summer camp with Paul Siple, who was later selected to join Byrd Antarctic Expedition I (1928-1929). In 1933, Siple asked Stancliff to join the Byrd Antarctic Expedition II. Stancliff applied and was accepted onto the expedition as a dog sled driver, which Stancliff had no prior experience in. On the expedition, Stancliff’s job was to lead a trail team of nine dogs, move supplies to base camp, and make dog food. Stancliff returned from Antarctica in 1935. He worked at the American Sterilizer Company for thirty-four years before his retirement in 1969. Between 1981 and 1982, Stancliff wrote his autobiography, “My Life and Good Times.”
“My Life and Good Times” Manuscript by Olin Stancliff is a photocopy of “My Life and Good Times,” an autobiography written by Olin Stancliff between 1981 and 1982. “My Life and Good Times” begins with Stancliff writing about his early life and interests; he then recounts his childhood friendship with Paul Siple, a member of Byrd Antarctic Expedition I (1928-1929), and Siple’s recruitment of Stancliff for Byrd Antarctic Expedition II (1933-1935). Stancliff wrote in his autobiography about the journey to Antarctica on the USS