PREFACE 
Although there were few subjects in which the late Sir 
Clements Markham was not interested, it may safely be 
said that Polar Exploration stood nearest his heart. Not 
many persons had studied the ground as thoroughly as 
he ; no one was more widely acquainted with its explorers. 
I was anxious therefore that his recollections of the 
personality and work of the many distinguished Arctic 
navigators he had known should not be lost, and some 
years ago suggested to him that he should record the story 
of the gradual revealing of the Polar regions to our ken. 
The idea pleased him, he began his task at once, and when, 
in January 1916, the sad accident occurred which brought 
his life unexpectedly to a close, the book, though unrevised, 
and with one or two chapters unfinished, was nevertheless 
in a tolerably complete state. 
The author's death would necessarily have delayed the 
appearance of the work, but the prolonging of the war 
caused it to be laid aside altogether, and it was not until 
the beginning of this year that I took it in hand with the 
object of completing it for publication. So numerous are 
the works which have been consulted by the author that it 
was of course impossible for me to verify his facts and dates 
throughout, and the indulgence of the reader is therefore 
asked for any errors he may chance to notice. For 
Chapters lx and lxi, and a great part of Chapter xxxiv, 
which were merely outlined or left unfinished, the present 
writer is mainly responsible. 
Between Sir Clements and his no less distinguished 
cousin, Sir Albert Markham, a life-long friendship existed, 
and the latter did not long survive him, dying soon after 
he had published his biography. I was fortunate enough, 
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