Frank Debenham
(1883-1965), Geologist; Founder Director of Scott Polar Research InstituteSitter in 1 portrait
Frank Debenham was born in New South Wales, Australia in 1883, his father having emigrated to Australia from Suffolk some time before 1880. He travelled with Scott to the Antarctic as the expedition's geologist. Later he founded the Scott Polar Research Institute at Cambridge as a memorial to Scott, and was its director from its foundation in 1920 until 1946. In 1931, Debenham was appointed Professor of Geography at Cambridge University. He published many papers and books, the most scientifically important of which were the early reports of his Antarctic work. His books included The Polar Regions (1930), In the Antarctic (1952), and Antarctica; the Story of a Continent (1959).
Captain Scott's Birthday Dinner, 6 June 1911
by Herbert George Ponting
carbon print, 6 June 1911
NPG P1100
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