Robert Peary (1856-1920), American naval officer and polar explorer in an aircraft at Anacostia Naval Air Station, Washington D.C., USA. It is generally accepted that Peary was the first man to reach the North Pole, doing so in April 1909. He became interested in Arctic exploration after a trip to Greenland in 1886. His claim to be the first to reach the North Pole has always been disputed, but is still usually accepted. Photographed on the 11th January 1919.