Robert Peary was very adventurous. He was the first person to reach the North Pole. He had three very risky trips to the Arctic. One of the trips had twenty-four people to start with, but by the time the trip was over there was only six people still alive. One of the trips was on July 6, 1908 and another was on April 6, 1909.

Robert Peary was born on May 6, 1856 in Pennsylvania. He lived and grew up in Pennsylvania until he went to college. He went to Bowdoin College. Bowdoin College is in Maine. Robert Peary graduated from college in 1877. After college he was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. Robert Peary explored the Greenland Ice Cap in 1886 in his first exploration. In 1908 Robert Peary attempted to reach the North Pole, but failed. One year later Robert Peary and his friend Matthew Henson tried to reach the North Pole again. This time they made it and became the first people to reach the North Pole.

During his two tries to reach the North Pole, Peary came up with some tips on how to survive in the cold weather. His tips became a system called the Peary System. The system consisted of tips made by Robert Peary on how to survive and travel in the Arctic. Even though the weather was freezing cold. Robert Peary had eight toes amputated from not having enough protection from the cold on his feet. Because of Robert Peary losing eight toes, explorers now protect their feet better.

Robert Peary and Matthew Henson mostly traveled on dogsleds and on foot.When he tried to reach the North Pole there was a race going on to see who could reach the North Pole first. Robert Peary had a lot of determination as he tried to get there first.

Because of Robert Peary’s exploration of the Arctic and his tips on surviving there, scientists and explorers are able to find more about the Arctic and withstand the freezing temperatures. Robert Peary died on February 20, 1920, at age 64. Even though he died 86 years ago he is still remembered today.

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