Biography & Autobiography Adventurers & Explorers
Vilhjalmur Stefansson
Arctic Adventurer
- Publisher
- Dundurn Press
- Initial publish date
- Mar 2009
- Category
- Adventurers & Explorers, Polar Regions, Expeditions & Discoveries
-
Paperback / softback
- ISBN
- 9781550028744
- Publish Date
- Mar 2009
- List Price
- $19.99
-
eBook
- ISBN
- 9781770705098
- Publish Date
- Mar 2009
- List Price
- $7.99
-
eBook
- ISBN
- 9781770703759
- Publish Date
- Mar 2009
- List Price
- $19.99
Classroom Resources
Where to buy it
Description
Born in Manitoba of Icelandic parents, Vilhjalmur Stefansson (1879-1962) became one of Canada’s most famous and controversial Arctic explorers. After graduate studies in anthropology at Harvard University, Stefansson lived with and studied Inuit in the Mackenzie River Delta in the Northwest Territories in the winter of 1906-07. In two subsequent expeditions he completed a major anthropological survey of the Central and Western Arctic coasts and islands of North America; located and lived with the Copper Inuit, a previously unknown group of aboriginal people; and discovered the world’s last major land masses.
During his third and final great Arctic expedition from 1913 to 1918, some of Stefansson’s men perished tragically, an outcome that severely damaged his reputation. Nevertheless, the hardy explorer contributed immensely to knowledge about the Far North, particularly in his championing of the "Friendly Arctic." Part scientist, part showman, Vilhjalmur Stefansson was truly unique among polar adventurers.
About the author
Tom Henighan is the author of 17 published books, including Mercury Man, shortlisted for the Red Maple Award; Viking Quest and Viking Terror, two historical novels set in medieval Canada; and more recently, Demon in My View and Doom Lake Holiday. In 2008 he was awarded the Victor Tolgesy Prize for lifetime contribution to the arts in Ottawa, where he lives.
Editorial Reviews
(Vilhjalmur Stefansson) provides a quick, analytical introduction to this complex explorer.
Beaver, The
a character study, portraying Stefansson sympathetically in spite of his failings, which were certainly in evidence. The impression is one of balance, a quality that has been sorely needed in connection with the Stefansson story.
Iclandic Canadian Magazine
"...a good starting point for learning more about an explorer who was the toast of our town almost a century ago."
Times-Colonist, The
