Edgar Evans
(1876-1912), Polar explorer; member of British Antarctic Expedition, 1910-1913Sitter in 2 portraits
Strongly built, practical and cheerful, Petty Officer Evans was a natural choice to join Captain Scott on the 1660-mile return trek to the Pole. Following the disappointment of their arrival and suffering from malnutrition, a deep cut to the hand and severe frostbite, he collapsed on 17 February. He died later that day from a suspected brain haemorrhage. Shortly before the final push for the Pole, Scott wrote affectionately: 'Edgar Evans has proved a useful member of our party; he looks after our sledges and sledge equipment with a care of management and a fertility of resource which is truly astonishing - on 'trek' he is just as sound and hard as ever and has an inexhaustible store of anecdote.'
by Herbert George Ponting
gelatin silver print, 1911
NPG P1365
by Henry Robertson ('Birdie') Bowers, added to by Herbert George Ponting
vintage print, 17 January 1912
NPG x135720
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