Agency history, 1871-1876

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Subject

  • Hall, Charles Francis 1821-1871
  • Bessels, Emil 1847-1888
  • Polaris (Ship)
  • United States North Polar Expedition (1871-1873)

Category

Agency History

Notes

  • This is an agency history. It does not describe actual records. The Smithsonian Institution Archives uses these histories as brief accounts of the origin, development, and functions of an office or administrative unit to set that unit in its historical context. To find information on record holdings, please double-click the highlighted field "Creator/Author", which will open on a brief view of relevant records.
  • Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution, 1876
  • Guide to the Smithsonian Archives, 1996
  • In 1870 Congress authorized an expedition to search for the North Pole. Officially known as the United States North Polar Expedition (1871-1873), it was familiarly called the Polaris Expedition. Charles Francis Hall captained the Polaris. Emil Bessels directed its scientific party. The Smithsonian was involved in the scientific work planned for the voyage, which was cut short by accident and shipwreck. Emil Bessels later compiled, and the Smithsonian published, a record of the scientifc observations saved from the wreck of the Polaris.
  • For a history of the larger creating unit, refer to "Forms part of" above.

Repository Loc.

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Capital Gallery, Suite 3000, MRC 507; 600 Maryland Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20024-2520

Date

  • 1871
  • 1871-1876

Topic

  • Discovery and exploration
  • Research

Place

  • North Pole
  • Arctic regions

Form/Genre

Mixed archival materials

Local number

SIA AH00372

Full Record

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