"...That Sweep of Savage Splendour..." A Century of Australians in Antarctica

Abstract

Chronicles the history of Australian Antarctic exploration beginning with James Cook's 18th-century voyages on the Southern Ocean. Although exploitation of the Antarctic's resources began immediately following Cook's exploration, the first definitive sighting of the continent occurred in 1820, & it was not until the turn of the 20th century that actual exploration of the land mass began. Australia was involved from the very start in the exploration & mapping of Antarctica, & the efforts of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition are detailed. While WWI is credited with having galvanized Australian national identity, it is argued that the heroic work of the AAR ought to have a more prominent place in the emergence of Australia's national consciousness. 2 Figures. J. Zendejas