A. W. (Adolphus Washington) Greely

Born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1844, Adolphus Washington Greely first served in the Union Army during the Civil War. He stayed in the military afterward and became an officer in the U.S. Army Signal Corps, building a reputation for discipline, endurance, and practical leadership.

He is most remembered for commanding the Lady Franklin Bay Expedition of 1881–1884, part of the first International Polar Year. The expedition gathered valuable scientific observations in the high Arctic and helped map parts of Ellesmere Island and Greenland, but failed resupply missions turned it into a survival crisis, and only a handful of the party made it home.

Greely later continued a distinguished Army career, rose to the rank of major general, and was eventually awarded the Medal of Honor. He also wrote about his experiences, leaving behind firsthand accounts of Arctic exploration that still stand out for their mix of adventure, hardship, and careful observation.