Apsley Cherry-Garrard - Icon Profile | Alexandria
Apsley Cherry-Garrard (1886-1959) was a British explorer, author, and member of Robert Falcon Scott's ill-fated Terra Nova Expedition to Antarctica (1910-1913), where he earned his place in polar history as both a survivor and chronicler of one of exploration's most haunting chapters. Known affectionately as "Cherry" to his companions, he was the youngest member of Scott's expedition team at age 24.
First emerging into the annals of exploration history through his application to join Scott's expedition, Cherry-Garrard's initial presence might have seemed unlikely - he suffered from severe myopia and had no previous polar experience. Yet his determination, combined with a £1,000 contribution to the expedition (equivalent to roughly £100,000 today), secured his position. This seemingly privileged entrance belied the extraordinary hardships and contributions that would follow.
Cherry-Garrard's most significant achievement came during the winter of 1911 when he, along with Edward Wilson and Henry Bowers, undertook what would later be dubbed "The Worst Journey in the World" - a five-week expedition in complete darkness to collect Emperor penguin eggs from Cape Crozier. The journey, endured in temperatures reaching -60°C (-76°F), became the subject of his masterwork of the same name, published in 1922. This account, far from a mere adventure narrative, emerged as a profound meditation on human endurance, scientific pursuit, and the price of exploration. His experience of finding the frozen bodies of Scott's polar party, including his friends Wilson and Bowers, haunted him throughout his life and contributed to recurring episodes of depression.
Cherry-Garrard's legacy extends beyond his physical achievements to encompass the philosophical dimensions of exploration and human endeavor. His writing, particularly "The Worst Journey in the World," is celebrated not only as a cornerstone of polar literature but as one of the finest adventure books ever written. The questions he grappled with - about the value of scientific knowledge, the nature of courage, and the limits of human endurance - continue to resonate in modern discussions of exploration and scientific pursuit. His story serves as a remarkable testament to how the most unlikely candidates can become crucial witnesses to history's pivotal moments.