Robert E. Peary seen on the SS Roosevelt in 1906.

Robert E. Peary seen on the SS Roosevelt in 1906.

Robert Edwin Peary, born at Cresson, Penn., 6 May 1856, was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Navy 26 October 1881. In addition to his Arctic explorations, he was in charge of the Nicaragua Canal survey 1887-1888. He invented a type of tolling lock gates for the canal. His first Arctic expedition was in 1886 and on his eighth expedition he became the first man to reach the North Pole over the ice, arriving 6 April 1909, following a final dash covering 130 miles in five days. He was promoted to Rear Admiral and given the thanks of Congress by a special act of 30 March 1911. Rear Admiral Peary received honors from numerous scientific societies of Europe and America for his Arctic explorations and discoveries and wrote several books on his experience in the polar regions. He died in Washington, D.C., 20 February 1920.