Roland Huntford, Lore-Debunking Historian of Polar Exploration, Dies at 98

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 5 min read 100% complete by Clay RisenFebruary 7, 2026 at 04:11 PM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

Roland Huntford, a journalist and historian known for his writings on polar exploration, died on January 23 in Cambridge, England, at the age of 98. Huntford gained prominence for his 1979 book, "Scott and Amundsen" (later "The Last Place on Earth"), which challenged the heroic image of Robert Falcon Scott and his ill-fated 1912 South Pole expedition. The book contrasted Scott's leadership with that of Roald Amundsen, the Norwegian explorer who successfully reached the South Pole first. Huntford's work sparked controversy in Britain by questioning Scott's planning and execution, contrasting it with Amundsen's more effective approach. A South African native, Huntford's fluency in Norwegian and his experience as a Scandinavian correspondent for The Observer informed his interest in polar expeditions.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

South Africa 30% Oslo 30% Cambridge 30% England 30% Australia 30% Fram Museum 40% The Observer ×250% Britain ×360% South Pole ×470% Roald Amundsen ×480% Robert Falcon Scott ×790% Roland Huntford ×4100%

Keywords

roland huntford 100% polar exploration 90% robert falcon scott 80% roald amundsen 70% south pole 70% historical revisionism 60% expedition 50% heroic narrative 50% scandinavian correspondent 40%