Archives and Special Collections

The American Polar Society (APS) was founded in 1934 by August Howard, the son of a Russian immigrant. Inspired by Admiral Byrd’s first two expeditions to Antarctica, Howard proposed the creation of a privately funded organization to serve as a clearinghouse of information about Antarctica. His vision was the catalyst that launched the American Polar Society as the premier forum and chronicler of the polar regions for eight decades. Early polar explorers/members involved in its founding and establishment as an international organization included: Admiral Richard Byrd, Sir Hubert Wilkins, Bernt Balchen, Finn Ronne, General David Brainerd, Vilhjalmur Stefansson, Lincoln Ellsworth, and Paul Siple.