Josephine Diebitsch Peary facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Josephine Cecilia Diebitsch Peary
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| Born | May 22, 1863 |
| Died | December 19, 1955 Portland, Maine, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Explorer, Author |
| Spouse(s) | Robert Edwin Peary (m. 1888–1920) |
| Children | 2 |
Josephine Cecilia Diebitsch Peary (born May 22, 1863 – died December 19, 1955) was an American writer and a brave arctic explorer. She was known for traveling to very cold places near the North Pole. She often went on expeditions with her husband, Robert Peary, who was also a famous explorer. Josephine was one of the first women to explore the Arctic. She even wrote books about her amazing adventures.
Contents
Josephine's Early Life
Josephine Cecilia Diebitsch was born in Washington, D.C. on May 22, 1863. Her mother, Magdalena Augusta Schmid Diebitsch, was from a place called Saxony. Her father, Hermann Henry Diebitsch, was a military officer from Prussia. During the American Civil War, their family farm was destroyed. This made them move to Washington, D.C.. Later, Hermann worked at the Smithsonian Institution. Josephine had a brother, Emil, who became the mayor of Nutley, New Jersey. She also had a sister named Marie.
Josephine went to Spencerian Business College and was the best student in her class when she graduated in 1880. She was ready to work as a copyist, clerk, and tallyist at the Smithsonian Institution and the United States Department of the Interior. Josephine wrote a book called My Arctic Journal in 1893. She wrote it after her exciting trip to the Arctic in 1891-1892.
Marriage and Family Adventures
Josephine met Robert Edwin Peary in 1885. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1856 and went to Bowdoin College in Maine. Josephine and Robert got married on August 11, 1888.
Josephine often joined Robert on his trips to the far North. She traveled farther over the ice than any other white woman before her. She went on six of his Arctic expeditions! Because of her courage, she was sometimes called the "First Lady of the Arctic." She was very eager to explore the world. This led her to go with her husband on his second trip to Greenland from 1891 to 1892.
While they were married, Robert Peary successfully led a trip to the North Pole. This made him the first white man to explore that part of the Arctic. During this time, Josephine stayed at home on Eagle Island in Casco Bay, Maine. Robert had bought this island in 1877.
Josephine's Children
Josephine and Robert had two children. Their daughter, Marie Ahnighito Peary, was born in 1893. She was born less than thirteen degrees from the North Pole! Because of this, she became known as "Snow Baby." Their son was named Robert E. Peary Jr. Both children had adventures in the Arctic. Robert Jr. later became a construction engineer. Josephine and Robert also had three grandchildren: Edward Peary Stafford, Robert E. Peary III, and Peary Diebitsch Stafford.
Robert Peary passed away on February 20, 1920. After his death, Josephine moved to Portland, Maine, in 1932. Josephine Peary died on December 19, 1955, when she was 92 years old.
Josephine's Books
- My Arctic Journal (1893)
- The Snow Baby (1901)
- Children of the Arctic (1903)
Awards and Achievements
Josephine Peary received many honors for her amazing work.
- She was given the Medal of Achievement, the highest honor from the National Geographic Society, for her accomplishments in the Arctic.
- She was one of the first members of the Philadelphia Geographic Society and the Appalachian Mountain Club.
- She was also an honorary member of a Woman Geographers Club.
Images for kids
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Josephine Peary's daughter, Marie Ahnighito Peary (1893-1978), in 1909
See also
In Spanish: Josephine Cecilia Diebitsch Peary para niños
