Robert Falcon Scott Blue Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Captain Robert Falcon Scott, born in 1868, was a renowned British Royal Navy officer and Antarctic explorer. He is best remembered for leading two groundbreaking expeditions to the southernmost continent: the Discovery Expedition (1901-1904) and the ill-fated Terra Nova Expedition (1910-1913).

During the Discovery Expedition, Scott and his team made significant geographical and scientific discoveries, including the location of the polar plateau. The expedition also set a new southern record by reaching latitude 82°S. Scott’s leadership and bravery during this mission earned him the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) from King Edward VII.

Scott’s second and final expedition, the Terra Nova Expedition, aimed to be the first to reach the South Pole. After a grueling journey across the harsh Antarctic landscape, Scott and four companions reached the pole on January 17, 1912, only to find that Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen had preceded them by five weeks. Tragically, Scott and his team perished during the return journey due to a combination of exhaustion, starvation, and extreme cold. Before his death, Scott wrote poignant letters to his family, friends, and the public, which were later recovered and published, cementing his status as a national hero.

Scott resided at 56 Oakley Street in the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, an affluent area known for its stunning Victorian and Edwardian architecture, world-class museums, and beautiful green spaces. He shared this home with his wife, Kathleen Scott, a talented sculptor, and their son, Peter Scott, who would later become a renowned ornithologist, conservationist, and painter.

Although Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s life was cut short, his legacy as a brave explorer, leader, and scientist endures. His contributions to Antarctic exploration and the sacrifices he and his team made in the pursuit of knowledge continue to inspire people around the world.