Robert E. Peary (1865–1920), a rear admiral for the U.S. Navy, became an Arctic explorer for the express purpose of being the first man to the reach North Pole.
In September 1909-after nearly two decades of determined effort and numerous attempts, during which he lost eight toes to frostbite-American polar explorer Robert E. Peary emerged from the Arctic's frozen wasteland and declared that his final expedition h... SEE MORE