Drawing on her latest book, A History of Polar Exploration in 50 Objects: from Cook's Circumnavigations to the Aviation Age, Anne Strathie shares the stories of objects from a period of exploration which is the bedrock of our present-day knowledge and fascination with polar regions.

Today these objects are located worldwide, whether in polar regions, public spaces, museums and other repositories, or in private collections. Some objects were used by famous explorers, but more testify to important work by mariners, scientists, artists, photographers and filmmakers, or sometimes overlooked roles played by explorers' relatives, sponsors and other supporters.

Collectively, the objects evidence a continuum of polar endeavour which, notwithstanding national ambitions and personal rivalries, reflect levels of international collaboration to which we should aspire when exploring or attempting to safeguard the increasingly fragile polar regions.

About the speaker

Anne Strathie has previously written three biographies of members of Captain Scott's 'Terra Nova' Antarctic expedition. Research for her books has taken her all over Britain and to Antarctica, the Arctic, New Zealand, Australia, America, Japan and Norway, including Spitsbergen.

Anne, who was brought up in Scotland, now lives in Gloucestershire, England, home town of polar explorer Edward Wilson. Anne regularly gives talks and participates in events in Britain and overseas, including at the Royal Geographical Society in London.

Booking information

Venue information

This talk will be held at Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter, EX4 3LS.

For further information about the venue, please visit Exeter Phoenix's website 

Accessibility at our events

We want everyone to feel welcome at our events. For full details, please visit Exeter Phoenix's accessibility page. If you have any questions or specific access requirements, feel free to get in touch with us on access@rgs.org

This event has been organised as part of the Society’s Regional Theatres Programme which aims to inform and inspire the public about the diverse world of geography. If you would like to hear more about our events, please sign up to our events mailing list.

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Key Information

Open to all
8 September 2025, 7.30pm-9.30pm
Exeter

In-person
Member £10.00, Non-member £12.00
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