Part I: Seals teeth and whales ears - Scott Polar Research Institute ...

Chapter 4
Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey :
my first job, 1947
F I Dependencies coat of arms
A
s a boy I had developed a strong interest in mountaineering and polar
exploration, while living in the Lake District (Chapter 2). I had read many of
the classic accounts of polar exploration - in fact we had taken Shackleton's
classic ‘South’ as a set book for the School Certificate English literature examination.
I had been entranced by the descriptions of life in the polar regions and their natural
history, and extremely impressed by the paintings and drawings of Edward Wilson
and the photographs of R F Ponting. Cambridge was the home of the Scott Polar
Research Institute (SPRI), founded in memory of Captain R F Scott of the Antarctic,
and it had in its archives the largest single collection of Wilson's watercolours. There
was also an excellent polar library.
Towards my first job
The institute was the only centre of research in polar studies in Britain and so
was a magnet for people interested in the history of the polar regions, or in planning
expeditions. Naturally I gravitated there and listened avidly to fascinating talk
among the resident experts and visitors. Interested students were welcome to drop
in for talk and there were some lectures to attend. Tea was provided in the small
office of Elizabeth Rought who was the Director's Secretary, a charming, friendly and
very pretty girl, but probably several years older than we were. We sat around on
the floor, if it was crowded and took tea and cakes. Among us from time to time was
Christopher Brasher who was on the way to becoming a famous long distance
runner, and an Olympic Gold Medallist - and had been on polar expeditions. From
time to time we had an opportunity to meet visiting polar explorers and scientists.
Launcelot Fleming was the Director during my initial contacts and later Colin
Bertram was appointed Director. Brian Roberts was attached to the Institute but
spent most of his time in London, as Head of the Polar Regions Section of the Foreign
74