(Above) A photograph of the Polar Party by Lieut. Henry Bowers showing the other four members of the Polar party - Scott, Oates, Wilson and Evans. Courtesy British Library.
Digital versions of Captain Scott’s last three diaries have been published online by the British Library as part of their ground-breaking Turning the Pages initiative.
The legendary explorer’s last three diaries were kept on the sledging journey to the South Pole between November 1911 and March 1912. Extracts are shown from the first two of the diaries while the last diary is shown in its entirety.
Turning the Pages uses 3D animation, which allows the viewer to mimic the action of turning each page on a computer screen. Viewers can magnify parts of the diaries, rotate pages and read commentary about the expedition and the explorer.
'For God's Sake look after our people.' Scott's last Diary entry. © British Library
Captain Robert Falcon Scott (1868–1912) led two British Antarctic expeditions. His diaries document the heroic attitude and scientific activities of polar explorers at the turn of the century and document all aspects of the expedition, including the voyage, establishment of the winter base, scientific work and sledging expeditions.
Scott’s last diary recounts the most harrowing stage of his return journey from the Pole. By the end of March, he recognises that there is no hope of survival and begins to consider the legacy of his expedition, which maintained a scientific program throughout (Scott’s party lugged 35 pounds of geological specimens to their deaths).
He writes letters to family, friends and a message to the public on the planning and execution of the southern sledging journey. His final sentence, ‘for God’s sake look after our people’ was reiterated in his message to the nation. Writing the diary remained one of Scott’s priorities to the end.
"Scott’s Antarctic diaries have played an important role in shaping images of polar exploration so it’s great that people all over the world can now explore the original diaries online,” said Katrina Dean, the British Library’s Curator of the History of Science.
See www.bl.uk/turningthepages to explore more.
Two of the original diaries of Captain Scott can be seen on display in the Sir John Ritblat Gallery: Treasures of the British Library at St Pancras.
