Works published in the past that are now in the public domain and are related to polar exploration or polar explorers. These are faithful transcriptions and will not contain footnotes by the transcriber/editor unless explicitly stated otherwise. Some of these may be found in other categories on the site.

A Note on Narratives

As this category tries to collect publications that might be less easy to find and/or are stuck in larger bodies of work, this section won’t contain any explorer’s narratives for now. If you want to find these please go to the page on British Narratives.

Single Books/Articles/&c.

Bell, Benjamin – Lieut. John Irving, R.N. of H.M.S. “Terror,” in Sir John Franklin’s Last Expedition to the Arctic Regions: A Memorial Sketch with Letters: One-Page Version / Chaptered Version

“Edited by Benjamin Bell. / Edinburgh: David Douglas 1881.” A biographical book on Lt. John Irving, with letters. Letters themselves can also be found separately in the letters section.

Davis, John Edward – A Letter from the Antarctic

“By Captain J. E. Davis, R.N. / Formerly Second Master of H.M.S. ‘Terror.” Written on the Ross Expedition (1839-43), 1842. Published in 1901.

Goodsir, Harry – On the Anatomy of Forbesia

“II.—On the Anatomy of Forbesia. By H. D. S. Goodsir, M.W.S., Acting Assistant-Surgeon of H.M.S. Erebus.—(Transmitted by the Author from Disco Island, Baffins Bay, in June 1845.)” Originally published Annals of Anatomy and Physiology, conducted by John Goodsir, 1850.

Goodsir, Harry – Zoology of the Arctic

“July 7th, 1845. Whale Fish Islands, Baffin’s Bay.” Harry Goodsir’s last scientific paper-slash-letter, written on the Franklin Expedition, about the Arctic fauna and flora.

Collections

Nautical Magazine & Naval Chronicle

Started in 1832. Polar excerpts only. Currently up to 1839.