Sir Douglas Mawson

Sir Douglas Mawson (1882-1958), Australian explorer and geologist, born in Bradford, England, and educated at the University of Sydney. He was a member of the scientific staff in the 1907 expedition of the British explorer Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton, which came within 179 km (111 mi) of the South Pole. Mawson organized and commanded (1911-14) an Australasian expedition to explore Antarctic lands south of Australia; two of his companions perished during this arduous, extensive journey. On his return Mawson was knighted. He became (1920) professor of geology and mineralogy at the University of Adelaide, South Australia. Mawson was the leader of the British, Australian, and New Zealand Antarctic Expedition from 1929 to 1931. After 1946 he was a member of the Commonwealth Government's Antarctic Advisory Committee.