author
G. Murray (George Murray) Levick
1876–1956
An Antarctic explorer, naval surgeon, and keen observer of wildlife, this remarkable figure helped document life at the frozen edge of the world. His experiences with Scott’s Terra Nova expedition and his close study of Adélie penguins still make for a gripping story today.
1 Audiobook
Antarctic Penguins: A Study of Their Social Habits
by G. Murray (George Murray) Levick
About the author
Born in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1876, he trained in medicine at St Bartholomew’s Hospital and joined the Royal Navy. He is best known for serving as surgeon and zoologist on Robert Falcon Scott’s Terra Nova expedition to Antarctica from 1910 to 1913.
During that expedition, he was part of the Northern Party, a group forced to endure an Antarctic winter in extremely harsh conditions after their ship could not collect them. He also carried out careful observations of Adélie penguins at Cape Adare, work that later became one of the most memorable scientific records from the expedition.
Beyond Antarctica, he continued a life of service in the Royal Navy and went on to found the Public Schools Exploring Society, later known as the British Exploring Society. That mix of endurance, curiosity, and public-minded adventure helped secure his place in the history of exploration.