Carl Anton Larsen | |
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Born | Østre Halsen, Norway | 7 August 1860
Died | 8 December 1924 | (aged 64)
Occupation(s) | sailor, ship captain, whaler, and Antarctic explorer |
Spouse(s) | Andrine Larsen, née Thorsen |
Parent(s) | Ole Christian Larsen and Ellen Andrea Larsen, née Engelbrightsen |
Carl Anton Larsen (7 August 1860 – 8 December 1924)[1] was a Norwegian-born whaler and Antarctic explorer who made important contributions to the exploration of Antarctica, the most significant being the first discovery of fossils for which he received the Back Grant from the Royal Geographical Society.[2] In December 1893 he became the first person to ski in Antarctica on the Larsen Ice Shelf which was subsequently named after him.[3] In 1904, Larsen re-founded a whaling settlement at Grytviken on the island of South Georgia.[4] In 1910, after some years' residence on South Georgia, he renounced his Norwegian citizenship and took British citizenship.[5] The Norwegian whale factory ship C.A. Larsen was named after him.