Roy Fitzsimmons facts for kids
Roy G. Fitzsimmons (born LeRoy Fitzsimmons in 1916 – died May 5, 1945) was an American explorer and scientist. He studied the Earth's physical properties, which is what a geophysicist does. Roy was the youngest of ten children born to John and Alice Brown Fitzsimmons.
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Who Was Roy Fitzsimmons?
Roy Fitzsimmons was a brave explorer who traveled to the very cold Arctic and Antarctic regions. He was also a scientist who studied the Earth's magnetic field, earthquakes, and the beautiful northern and southern lights.
Early Life and Education
Roy graduated from Seton Hall College in 1937. He earned a degree in Physics, which is the study of how the world works, from energy to matter. After college, he learned about Magnetometry at the Carnegie Institution for Science. Magnetometry is the science of measuring the Earth's magnetic field.
Exploring the Poles
Roy Fitzsimmons was part of two important expeditions to the Earth's polar regions. These trips were full of adventure and scientific discovery.
Arctic Adventures
From July 1, 1937, to October 4, 1938, Roy was a scientist on the MacGregor Arctic Expedition. During this trip, he worked as a geophysicist and magnetologist. He helped measure the Earth's magnetic field in the Arctic, a very cold region around the North Pole.
Antarctic Discoveries
Later, from 1939 to 1941, Roy joined the United States Antarctic Service Expedition. This was the third expedition led by the famous explorer Richard E. Byrd. Roy worked at West Base in the Rockefeller Mountains. There, he continued his studies on magnetometry. He also studied the aurora, which are the colorful lights seen in the sky near the poles. Roy also worked on seismology, which is the study of earthquakes. A peak in the Rockefeller Mountains is named after him, showing his important contributions.
A Hero in Wartime
During World War II, Roy Fitzsimmons served his country. He was a Captain in the United States Army Air Forces. Sadly, he died on May 5, 1945, while returning from his duties in Cuba. Roy is buried in Newark, New Jersey. He left behind six nieces and nephews.
