Henryk Arctowski: The Polar Explorer and Climate Pioneer

Early Life and Scientific Career

Henryk Arctowski, born on July 15, 1871, in Warsaw, Poland, was a Polish meteorologist, scientist, oceanologist, geophysicist, and explorer. His family moved from Württemberg to Poland in the 17th century, assimilating into Polish culture over time. Arctowski's father was a high-ranking railway official, and they led a comfortable life. Despite this, Arctowski's passion for science was evident from a young age.

Arctowski attended the gymnasium in Inowroc?aw under German occupation. However, due to his manifesting Polish patriotism at school, his parents sent him to a prestigious school in Liège. His scientific career took off soon after, as he studied at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science in Liège, then at the Sorbonne and Collège de France. By the time he turned 24, he already held a position at the Institute for Chemistry in Belgium, and he had an impressive portfolio of academic publications. He changed his name to Henryk Arctowski to emphasize his Polish heritage.

The First Scientific Expedition to Antarctica

In 1895, Arctowski heard of Adrian de Gerlach's plan for an expedition to Antarctica and was the first to sign up. The land they were heading to was uncharted, and they would be the first scientists ever to reach it. The expedition was to sail in the winter, and their modest budget allowed them a small but reliable whaler christened with the prideful name Belgica. Equipped with a spacious and well-equipped laboratory, the expedition left Antwerp on August 16, 1897.

The trip didn't start well; they only managed to reach nearby Ostend before the steam engine broke down. Three crew members quit, but Arctowski managed to get Antoni Dobrowolski on board, who would later become known for creating cryology. Astoundingly, they still managed to reach Argentina's Isla de los Estados. After this, they were surrounded by sea and ice.

The Belgica got trapped in sea ice for 13 months. The crew spent their time researching and analyzing their surroundings. The worst was yet to come: the polar night began in May, lasting for six months, with temperatures plunging to –40°C. Despite these hardships, they eventually overcame their challenges by subsisting on fresh seal and penguin meat. On March 14, 1899, they managed to escape their frozen prison, becoming the first men to spend a winter in Antarctica.

Professional Success and Contributions to Science

After the expedition, Arctowski worked diligently on processing and cataloging the extensive data collected. He participated in another scientific expedition to Spitsbergen in 1910 and moved to the United States in 1912, where he worked as the head of the science division at the New York Public Library. It was during this time that he began his large-scale research on climate change, a topic he would continue to study for the rest of his life.

During World War I, Arctowski prepared a detailed report on Poland for the American committee appointed by President Wilson. He served as an advisor to the Polish delegation at the Paris Peace Conference, where the fate of Poland's independence was being decided. His wife, Arian Jane Addy, organized an aid campaign for Polish refugees. After Poland regained its independence, Arctowski returned to his homeland, where he became a professor of geophysics and meteorology at Jan Kazimierz University in Lviv.

Legacy and Final Years

Arctowski worked at the Smithsonian Institute until his health allowed, continuing his research until 1958. Several geographical features, including the Henryk Arctowski Polish Antarctic Station, and a medal of the National Academy of Sciences, are named in his honor. His legacy as a polar explorer and a pioneer in climate change research continues to inspire future generations.

Henryk Arctowski's life is a testament to the bravery and dedication required in the pursuit of scientific discovery, particularly in some of the most challenging environments on Earth.