# George W. De Long

> American polar explorer (1844–1881)

**Wikidata**: [Q461031](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q461031)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_W._De_Long)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/george-w-de-long

## Summary

George W. De Long (1844–1881) was an American naval officer and polar explorer who led the ill-fated USS Jeannette Arctic expedition (1879–1881) in an attempt to reach the North Pole. His expedition resulted in the discovery of several islands in the Arctic Ocean and contributed valuable scientific data, though the expedition ended in tragedy with the loss of most crew members. De Long's work represents an important chapter in 19th-century polar exploration and helped advance understanding of Arctic geography.

## Biography

- **Born**: August 22, 1844
- **Died**: October 31, 1881 (age 37)
- **Nationality**: United States
- **Citizenship**: United States
- **Education**: United States Naval Academy (graduated 1865)
- **Known for**: Commanding the USS Jeannette Arctic expedition (1879–1881)
- **Employer(s)**: United States Navy
- **Field(s)**: Polar exploration, naval navigation, Arctic geography

## Contributions

- **USS Jeannette Expedition (1879–1881)**: Led the first American Arctic expedition to attempt to reach the North Pole via the Bering Strait. The expedition discovered and charted several previously unknown islands in the Arctic Ocean, including what is now known as De Long Islands (named in his honor).
- **Arctic Cartography**: The expedition contributed significant new geographic knowledge of the Arctic region, mapping areas previously unexplored by Western explorers.
- **Scientific Observations**: Collected valuable data on Arctic conditions, wildlife, and meteorology during the voyage.
- **Legacy of Exploration**: Though the expedition ended in tragedy with the deaths of De Long and many crew members, the expedition's findings influenced subsequent Arctic exploration and contributed to the eventual mapping of the Arctic archipelago.

## FAQs

**Who was George W. De Long?**
George W. De Long was an American naval officer and polar explorer who led the USS Jeannette expedition to the Arctic in 1879–1881, becoming one of the first Americans to attempt to reach the North Pole.

**What happened to George W. De Long?**
De Long died on October 31, 1881, in the Arctic region while attempting to reach land after the Jeannette was crushed by ice. He and a group of crew members perished from starvation and exposure during a grueling overland journey.

**What expedition did George W. De Long lead?**
De Long commanded the USS Jeannette Arctic expedition (1879–1881), which was sponsored by James Gordon Bennett Jr. of the New York Herald. The expedition aimed to reach the North Pole by navigating through the Bering Strait.

**What islands were discovered by George W. De Long?**
The Jeannette expedition discovered the De Long Islands (also known as New Siberia Islands or De Long Fjord area) in the Arctic Ocean. These islands were subsequently named in his honor.

**Was George W. De Long in the Navy?**
Yes, De Long was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy (Class of 1865) and served as a naval officer before dedicating himself to polar exploration.

## Why They Matter

George W. De Long represents the spirit of 19th-century American exploration and scientific inquiry. His expedition, though ultimately tragic, contributed significantly to Arctic geography and helped establish American presence in polar exploration during an era when European nations dominated such endeavors. The discovery of the De Long Islands provided concrete territorial claims and geographic knowledge that would influence future expeditions and Arctic mapping. His sacrifice exemplifies the dangers faced by early polar explorers and helped establish protocols and lessons for subsequent expeditions. The scientific data collected during the Jeannette expedition added to the growing body of knowledge about Arctic conditions, contributing to later successful expeditions. De Long's legacy endures in Arctic place names and in the history of American polar exploration.

## Notable For

- First American expedition to attempt to reach the North Pole via the Bering Strait
- Discovery of the De Long Islands in the Arctic Ocean
- Graduate of the United States Naval Academy (Class of 1865)
- Commanded the USS Jeannette (formerly the HMS Pandora)
- Expedition sponsored by James Gordon Bennett Jr. of the New York Herald
- Contributed to early Arctic cartography and scientific observation
- Died during return journey from failed polar expedition attempt

## Body

### Early Life and Naval Career

George Washington De Long was born on August 22, 1844. He pursued a career in naval service and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1865. His training at the Naval Academy, located in Annapolis, Maryland, provided him with the navigational and leadership skills that would later prove essential in his polar expeditions. The United States Naval Academy, established in 1845, served as the premier institution for training naval officers in America.

### The USS Jeannette Expedition

In 1879, De Long was selected to lead the USS Jeannette Arctic expedition, one of the most ambitious American attempts to reach the North Pole. The expedition was financed by James Gordon Bennett Jr., publisher of the New York Herald, who had previously sponsored other exploratory ventures. The Jeannette, originally a British vessel named HMS Pandora that had been used in Arctic exploration, was purchased and refitted for the expedition.

The expedition departed from San Francisco in July 1879, traveling north through the Bering Strait with the goal of reaching the North Pole. The vessel became trapped in ice north of Siberia, and the crew was forced to abandon ship in 1881 after months of being carried by ice currents. De Long and a party of crew members attempted to reach the Siberian coast by boat and on foot, but the journey proved fatal for many.

### Death and Legacy

De Long died on October 31, 1881, in the Arctic region. His death resulted from starvation and exposure during the grueling overland journey from the abandoned Jeannette. Several crew members survived the expedition, including Chief Engineer George W. Melville, who led a rescue party. The tragedy marked one of the most significant losses in American polar exploration history.

Despite the expedition's tragic outcome, it achieved several notable discoveries. The expedition discovered and charted islands in the Arctic Ocean that would become known as the De Long Islands, honoring the expedition's commander. These islands, located in the Arctic region, remain significant features on modern maps of the Siberian Arctic.

### Geographic Contributions

The Jeannette expedition contributed valuable geographic knowledge of the Arctic region. The discovery of the De Long Islands provided important information about the topology of the Arctic Ocean and helped fill gaps in 19th-century maps of the region. The expedition's observations and data, though collected under tragic circumstances, added to the scientific understanding of Arctic conditions and helped inform subsequent expeditions.

### Historical Significance

George W. De Long's expedition represented a significant chapter in the history of American polar exploration. At a time when European powers dominated Arctic exploration, De Long's expedition demonstrated American ambition and capability in the field of geographic discovery. The expedition's findings contributed to the eventual mapping of the Arctic archipelago and helped establish the United States as a participant in polar exploration. De Long's name became permanently associated with the Arctic through the De Long Islands, ensuring his legacy in geographic nomenclature.

## References

1. Find a Grave
2. Integrated Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
6. SNAC
7. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
8. Great Norwegian Encyclopedia
9. Proleksis Encyclopedia
10. Croatian Encyclopedia
11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
12. Virtual International Authority File
13. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb12106717q)
14. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line