Vivian Fuchs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Vivian Fuchs
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Sir Vivian Fuchs in Wellington, 1958.
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Vivian Ernest Fuchs
11 February 1908 Freshwater, Isle of Wight, England
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| Died | 11 November 1999 (aged 91) Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England
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| Education | Brighton College |
| Alma mater | St John's College, Cambridge |
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| Children | 3 |
Sir Vivian Ernest Fuchs (born February 11, 1908, died November 11, 1999) was a famous English explorer. He led a team that made history by being the first to travel all the way across Antarctica by land in 1958. This amazing journey happened in 1958.
Contents
Vivian Fuchs' Early Life and Adventures
Vivian Fuchs was born in 1908 on the Isle of Wight in England. His father was from Germany, and his mother was British. He went to Brighton College and then to St John's College, Cambridge University.
Becoming a Geologist
Vivian studied to become a geologist. He loved being outdoors, and geology was a perfect way to combine his interests. A geologist studies the Earth's rocks, soil, and history.
First Expeditions
His first big trip was to Greenland in 1929. After finishing university in 1930, he joined an expedition to East Africa. There, he studied how climate change affected the geology of lakes. He also worked with a famous scientist named Louis Leakey at Olduvai Gorge, a very important place for studying early human history.
Family Life and More Travels
In 1933, Vivian married his cousin, Joyce Connell. She was also a world traveler! Joyce even went with Vivian on his expedition to Lake Rudolf (now called Lake Turkana) in 1934. The discoveries from this trip helped Vivian earn his PhD from Cambridge in 1937. He had three children: Hilary, Rosalind, and Peter.
Serving in the Army
When he was 30, Vivian joined the British Army. He served in the Gold Coast (now Ghana) and later in London during World War II. He even saw the release of prisoners from the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany. He left the army in 1946 as a Major.
Working with the British Antarctic Survey
In 1947, Vivian started working with the British Antarctic Survey. This group helps Britain explore and do science in Antarctica. Vivian's job was to plan scientific research and help publish the findings. After his famous Antarctic crossing, he became the director of the Survey in 1958 and stayed in that role until 1973. He was also made a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1974, which is a very high honor for scientists.
Later Life
Vivian's first wife, Joyce, passed away in 1990. The next year, he married Eleanor Honnywill, who used to be his assistant. Sir Vivian Fuchs died in Cambridge in 1999 when he was 91 years old.
The Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition
Vivian Fuchs is most famous for leading the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition. This was a huge journey to be the first to cross the entire continent of Antarctica by land.
Planning the Journey
Planning for this amazing trip started in 1953. The idea was to use special vehicles called Sno-Cat tractors. The team planned to cross the continent in about 100 days. They would start at the Weddell Sea, travel across the South Pole, and finish at the Ross Sea.
The Historic Crossing
Vivian and his team arrived in Antarctica in January 1957. They began their journey from Shackleton Base on November 24, 1957. As they traveled, they collected lots of important scientific information. They used special tools to measure the thickness of the ice. They also took gravimetric readings, which help scientists understand the Earth's gravity and what's beneath the surface. These measurements proved that there was a land mass under the thick ice at the South Pole.
On March 2, 1958, Vivian Fuchs and his team successfully completed their 100-day trip. They reached Scott Base, having traveled an incredible 2,158 miles (about 3,473 kilometers)!
Honors and Recognition
In 1958, Queen Elizabeth II made him a knight, so he became "Sir Vivian Fuchs." He also wrote a book about the expedition called The Crossing of Antarctica with Sir Edmund Hillary, another famous explorer. In 1959, he received the Hans Egede Medal for his achievements.
Fuchs Medal
The Fuchs Medal was created in 1973. It is given to people who show "outstanding devotion" to the British Antarctic Survey. This means they go above and beyond their normal duties to help the Survey's work.
The medal is awarded to one or two people each year for their important contributions to exploring and understanding Antarctica.
See also
In Spanish: Vivian Ernest Fuchs para niños
