Wilhelm Filchner, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death
TweetWilhelm Filchner
German explorer
Date of Birth: 
Place of Birth: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
About Wilhelm Filchner
- Wilhelm Filchner (13 September 1877 – 7 May 1957) was a German army officer, scientist and explorer.
- He conducted several surveys and scientific investigations in China, Tibet and surrounding regions, and led the Second German Antarctic Expedition, 1911–13. As a young military officer, Filchner gained an early reputation for dash and daring, following his travel exploits in Russia and the Pamir Mountains range.
- After further technical studies, he developed expertise in geography and geophysics, before leading a major scientific survey in Tibet and western China in 1903–05.
- In 1909 he was appointed to organise and lead the forthcoming German expedition to the Antarctic, with both scientific and geographical objectives involving extensive exploration of the continent's interior.
- During the expedition his ship became trapped in the Weddell Sea ice, drifting for eight months and preventing Filchner from establishing a land base, thus failing in its main objective.
- Although important scientific results were obtained, the expedition was disrupted by serious interpersonal disagreements and lasting animosities, which harmed Filchner's reputation as a leader and ended his polar career.
- After service in the First World War he resumed his travels in Asia.
- He conducted two lengthy single-handed magnetic surveys in China and Tibet, often in difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions, and was continuing this work when the Second World War began, leaving him stranded in India.
- After years of internment, he returned to Europe and retired to Zürich, where he died in 1957.
- During his lifetime he received numerous honours, including the German National Prize for Art and Science in 1937, and several honorary doctorates.
- He is also commemorated in the Antarctic, where a number of geographical features bear his name.
Read more at Wikipedia
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