Talk: RRS Discovery’s role in exploration history

Friday 6th June

5pm

£10 – £30

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RRS Discovery is one of only two ships featured as ‘objects’ in author Anne Strathie’s latest book, A History of Polar Exploration in 50 Objects: from Cook’s Circumnavigations to the Aviation Age (pub. November 2024). In this event, Anne will reveal why Discovery was an early choice and the importance of the Dundee-built ship’s multi-faceted role within the histories of not only polar exploration, but also polar science and the Scouting movement. Even if you have already read Anne’s new book, you may have a few surprises! The event will include a Q&A and a book-signing for those purchasing book-inclusive tickets.

About the speaker:

Anne Strathie, who was raised and educated in Scotland, became particularly interested in polar exploration history after moving to Cheltenham, hometown of Dr Edward Wilson, a key member of Scott’s Discovery and Terra Nova expeditions. In 2010, after working in business and arts and heritage fundraising, Anne began researching and writing full time. A History of Polar Exploration in 50 Objects is her fourth book and follows biographies of Terra Nova expedition members Henry ‘Birdie’ Bowers and Herbert Ponting, and From Ice-Floes to Battlefields: Scott’s ‘Antarctics’ in the First World War. Anne’s research has taken her all over Britain and to both polar regions, Australia, New Zealand and America. She regularly gives talks and participates in events both in Britain and overseas.

Praise for A History of Polar Exploration in 50 Objects:

‘The continuum of scientific, artistic and personal affiliations linking the exploration of the Arctic and Antarctic regions is rarely appreciated. Savour, then, the polar epics revealed anew through the objects presented in this book – and be astonished!’ -Dr David Wilson, great-nephew of Dr Edward Wilson and author/co-author of, among others, Cheltenham in Antarctica; Discovery Illustrated; Nimrod Illustrated; The Lost Photographs of Captain Scott and Edward Wilson’s Antarctic Notebooks.