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.
The American Polar Society publishes The Polar Times, a semi-annual magazine that provides updates on scientific developments, expeditions, and policies affecting the polar regions. The APS also organizes biannual symposia that focus on critical topics such as climate change, exploration, and policy issues in the Arctic and Antarctica. The APS welcomes a wide range of members, including scientists, explorers, educators, policymakers, and individuals with an interest in polar regions.
The APS has honored several prominent figures in polar exploration by awarding them honorary memberships. Notable honorees include Richard E. Byrd, Vilhjalmur Stefansson, and Susan Solomon. The APS impact is felt through its advocacy for polar research and exploration, as well as its role in fostering a community of individuals passionate about these regions since its founding in 1934.
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The Circumpolar Navigator project acknowledges the existence of harmful content in many publications and historical materials within this initiative. We recognize the potentially painful heritage of some of our collections and seek to address its impact on research and culture today.
The Circumpolar Navigator project aims to bring together Arctic and sub-Arctic collections from a wide range of northern heritage materials that will provide access for modern researchers to previously hidden sources of information that can offer data and insights on multiple subjects.
