Ernest Shackleton

Antarctic explorer · survival · leadership · adventure

Trapped in ice. In 1914, Shackleton's ship, the Endurance, got squeezed and crushed by pack ice in Antarctica. Instead of panicking, he kept his crew of 28 men calm and led them across the ice to safety.

Daring small boat journey. After their ship sank, Shackleton and five men sailed a tiny lifeboat 800 miles through storms to South Georgia island to get help. It was one of the most incredible rescues ever attempted.

Three major expeditions. Shackleton led three major Antarctic expeditions starting in 1907. He came closer to the South Pole than any explorer before him and always made it a priority to bring his men home alive.

Never gave up. Even when things looked hopeless, stranded on ice, running low on food, facing brutal cold, Shackleton stayed positive and determined. His crew trusted him completely.

Born in Ireland. Shackleton was born in County Kildare, Ireland, in 1874. He grew up loving adventure and decided early on that exploring Antarctica was his dream.