The Life of Donald Baxter Macmillan: A Story of Adventure and Survival on the Frozen Seas

Donald Baxter Macmillan was an American Arctic explorer who made several expeditions to the polar regions in the early 20th century. He was born in Provincetown, Massachusetts, on November 10, 1874, and died in Provincetown on September 7, 1970.

Captain Mac: The Life of Donald Baxter MacMillan, Arctic Explorer

by Mary Morton Cowan

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	24646 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	279 pages

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Macmillan's first expedition to the Arctic was in 1908, when he was a member of the crew of the Roosevelt, led by Robert E. Peary. Peary was attempting to reach the North Pole, but the expedition was unsuccessful. Macmillan returned to the Arctic in 1913, leading his own expedition on the Bown. This expedition was also unsuccessful in reaching the North Pole, but Macmillan did make several important discoveries, including the Crocker Land, which he believed to be a new continent.

Macmillan returned to the Arctic in 1923, leading another expedition on the Bown. This expedition was successful in reaching the North Pole, and Macmillan became the first person to have walked to the North Pole from the Arctic Ocean. Macmillan continued to lead expeditions to the Arctic throughout his life, and he became one of the most experienced and respected Arctic explorers of his time.

In addition to his Arctic explorations, Macmillan was also a prolific writer. He wrote several books about his experiences in the Arctic, including Four Years in the White North, Etah and Beyond, and Arctic Islands and the Barren Lands of Canada. These books are still widely read today and provide valuable insights into the Arctic and its people.

Macmillan was a courageous and determined explorer who made significant contributions to our knowledge of the Arctic. He was also an accomplished writer who shared his experiences with the world through his books. His legacy is one of adventure, discovery, and survival.

Early Life and Education

Donald Baxter Macmillan was born in Provincetown, Massachusetts, on November 10, 1874. His father was a sea captain, and his mother was a schoolteacher. Macmillan grew up in a seafaring family, and he developed a love of the sea at an early age. He attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he studied civil engineering. After graduating from MIT, Macmillan worked as a civil engineer for several years before turning his attention to Arctic exploration.

Arctic Expeditions

Macmillan's first expedition to the Arctic was in 1908, when he was a member of the crew of the Roosevelt, led by Robert E. Peary. Peary was attempting to reach the North Pole, but the expedition was unsuccessful. Macmillan returned to the Arctic in 1913, leading his own expedition on the Bown. This expedition was also unsuccessful in reaching the North Pole, but Macmillan did make several important discoveries, including the Crocker Land, which he believed to be a new continent.

Macmillan returned to the Arctic in 1923, leading another expedition on the Bown. This expedition was successful in reaching the North Pole, and Macmillan became the first person to have walked to the North Pole from the Arctic Ocean. Macmillan continued to lead expeditions to the Arctic throughout his life, and he became one of the most experienced and respected Arctic explorers of his time.

Later Life and Legacy

After retiring from Arctic exploration, Macmillan continued to write and lecture about his experiences. He also served as a consultant to the United States government on Arctic matters. Macmillan died in Provincetown, Massachusetts, on September 7, 1970, at the age of 95. He is remembered as one of the most courageous and determined Arctic explorers of all time.

Captain Mac: The Life of Donald Baxter MacMillan, Arctic Explorer

by Mary Morton Cowan

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	24646 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	279 pages

FREE