History

Here are some biographies of people important in Australian Antarctic history. All are researched and written by K Quinn.

• Louis Charles Bernacchi (‘Bunny’, 1876–1942)
  Bernacchi was physicist on Borchgrevink’s 1898 expedition, the first expedition to endure winter on the Antarctic continent.
• Carsten Egeberg Borchgrevink ('Borchy', 1864–1934)
  Borchgrevink’s expedition established themselves as world authorities on Antarctic research and survival.
• John King Davis (‘Gloomy’, 1884–1967)
  Described by many as the greatest captain in Antarctic history, John King Davis was a master mariner for a number of key expeditions.
• Sir Tannatt Edgeworth David (‘The Prof’ or ‘The Professor’, 1858–1934)
  TW Edgeworth David's Antarctic involvement spanned four decades; first as a scientist and explorer, and later as a champion for expeditions.
• Walter Henry Hannam (1885–1965)
  Hannam made possible the first use of radio in Antarctica by establishing the wireless telegraphic system on Macquarie Island and on Mawson’s Antarctic base.
• Charles Turnbull Harrisson (1866–1914)
  Charles Turnbull Harrisson (known as “Chas T”) was born into the Kingston farming family of Eleanor Horne Turnbull and Charles Harrisson, not far from today’s Australian Antarctic Division building that bears his name.
• Sir Douglas Mawson (1882–1958)
  In leading Australia’s first major scientific exploring endeavour beyond the Australian continent, Douglas Mawson unintentionally became one of Australia’s most famous and respected heroes.