William Speirs Bruce
William Speirs Bruce - A Famous Scottish Explorer
William Speirs Bruce (1867-1921) William Speirs Bruce was a famous Scottish Polar explorer, scientist and oceanographer. He is most famous for leading the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition (1902-04) to the Weddell Sea.
William S. Bruce was born in London on 1 August 1867, his father, Samuel Nobel Bruce, was a Scottish physician. His initial education was from home but at the age of eleven he attended Norfolk County School. It was at this school that he developed his interest in natural history. In 1883 he went to University College School, London and was planning to further his education in medical studies at University College. Before starting university he visited Edinburgh for a short course in biology at the marine station in Granton. It was during this 6 week course that he decided to study in Edinburgh rather than London.
Bruce studied in medicine at Edinburgh University 1887 and 1892 but did not graduate instead he cut his studies short to sail for Antarctica with the 'Balaena' expedition of Dundee whalers, signing on as a surgeon and naturalist. This ignited his interest in the region and in 1902 he led Scottish National Antarctic Expedition (1902-04). On his return he established the Scottish Oceanographical Laboratory to exhibit his collected specimens.
The Antarctic was to remain Bruce's primary interest until his death in Edinburgh on 28 October 1921. Bruce had tried for a second expedition to Antarctica in 1910 but had failed to raise sufficient funds however he was to return again, after his death, as his ashes were scattered in Antarctic waters.
Further Reading:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Speirs_Bruce
http://www.south-pole.com/p0000093.htm
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