Recognitions of Peary and Bartlett

Upon returning to the United States, Robert Peary and Captain Robert Bartlett were met with much praise and adoration for their achievements. Both men were honored at dinners and award ceremonies hosted by royals from all over the world. Each of the explorers was awarded many of the same medals and commendations, but Peary, never to be overshadowed, would not be honored at the same time as Bartlett or anyone else.

In December 1909, Peary was awarded a special medal from the National Geographic Society for the discovery of the North Pole. Peary was awarded numerous awards from countries all over the world for his accomplishments within just a year or two after the discovery.

Bartlett was awarded the Hubbard Medal by the National Geographic Society in 1909 upon his return from the North Pole expedition. He was also awarded the Peary Polar Medal by Congress for the 1908-09 expedition among several others.


Image Caption: This photograph titled "Dinner to Commander Robert E. Peary, U.S.N., Hotel Astor, March 5, 1910" is just one example of the type of honors Peary and Bartlett received when Henson was not known by many to have even been with the expedition, this photograph taken for the Geo. R. Lawrence Co., available courtesy of the Library of Congress.