In partnership with the Alumni Executive Council, the University continues "Laurentians Learn," a series of webinars aimed at expanding learning opportunities from faculty, staff, students, alumni, and parents on important and interesting topics.
Albert P. Crary ’31, HD’59, the "Unfreezable Man": Pioneering Exploration Geophysics of SOFAR, Atomic Bombs, and Polar Expeditions with Dr. Alexander K. Stewart, Associate Professor of Geology
Albert "Bert" Paddock Crary is best known as the first person to set foot on both the North Pole (1952) and South Pole (1961), but his contributions to science and exploration run much deeper. A Canton, NY native and St. Lawrence University graduate, Crary began his career in geophysics before being called into top-secret military research during WWII, where he helped develop anti-submarine detection using the oceanic SOFAR channel. He later played a key role in detecting Soviet atomic bomb tests during the Cold War.
Crary's true passion, however, was polar glaciology. In the 1950s, he led groundbreaking expeditions in the Arctic, discovering "Crary waves" and joining the first airplane party to land at the North Pole. His Antarctic work was equally impressive, where he helped map the Ross Ice Shelf and led a 2,500-kilometer trek to the South Pole in 1961. Crary's leadership in Antarctic research earned him numerous honors, including having five geographical features and a state-of-the-art lab at McMurdo Station named after him.
Registration
Register by 12:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 3, online or by calling the Office of Laurentian Engagement: 888-758-4438.
Registered attendees will receive the Zoom link prior to the webinar.