Display commemorates Scott's South Pole expedition the dead
Antarctic heroes. View full postcard image One of the greatest
stories of triumph and tragedy is told in a display at the
National Library of Scotland. 'Scott's last expedition' uses
material from NLS collections to recount the achievements of the
men of the British National Antarctic Expedition of 1910-1913.
Four members of the expedition went with Captain Robert Falcon
Scott on a gruelling trek across the Antarctic's snow and ice.
Enduring extreme and hostile conditions, they reached the pole
on 17 January 1912. It was an epic accomplishment, but it took
its toll. All five men died on the return journey — when they
were only a few miles from safety. As items on display reveal,
it was January 1913 before word of their deaths reached the
outside world. As the news spread back home, the tragic story of
the pole party stirred national grief. Their story of courage,
heroism and endurance still resonates and fascinates today.
Letters on show Expedition s