Birth of Robert Falcon Scott
Birth of Robert Falcon Scott
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Robert Falcon Scott Biography and Timeline
Follow Robert Falcon Scott through 137 dated historical records for Great Britain.
Robert Falcon Scott, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
137Distinct records
1 of 4Page
1868–1904Years on this page
1868
1883
Education
Scott passes out of Britannia as a midshipman, seventh overall in a class of 26
1887
Education
Scott attends the Royal Naval College at Greenwich
Royal Naval College
Scott attends the Royal Naval College at Greenwich
1888
Education
Passes his examinations for Sub-Lieutenant, with four First Class certificates out of five
1889
Lieutenant
Appointed Lieutenant
1899
BNAE
The British National Antarctic Expedition, later known as the Discovery Expedition, was a joint enterprise of the RGS and the Royal Society
Discovery Expedition
The British National Antarctic Expedition, later known as the Discovery Expedition, was a joint enterprise of the RGS and the Royal Society. Scott appears at the Markham residence and volunteered to lead the Discovery Expedition
National Antarctic Expedition
The British National Antarctic Expedition, later known as the Discovery Expedition, was a joint enterprise of the RGS and the Royal Society
Royal Society
The British National Antarctic Expedition, later known as the Discovery Expedition, was a joint enterprise of the RGS and the Royal Society
1901
Historical record
Scott is given overall command, and is promoted to the rank of Commander before Discovery sailed for the Antarctic
Discovery Expedition
Scott is given overall command, and is promoted to the rank of Commander before Discovery sailed for the Antarctic. Despite an almost total lack of Antarctic or Arctic experience within the 50-strong party, there was very little special training in equipment or techniques before the ship set sail
Discovery Expedition
The Discovery sets sail from the Isle of Wight
Discovery Expedition
Discovery sails from Cowes on the British National Antarctic Expedition under Scott's command
Discovery Expedition
The Discovery arrives in New Zealand
Discovery Expedition
The Discovery sets sail from Lyttleton, New Zealand
1902
Discovery Expedition
The Discovery arrives at Cape Adare
Discovery Expedition
The Discovery follows the Barrier to its eastern extremity where, on 30 January, the land predicted by Ross was confirmed, and named King Edward VII Land
Discovery of King Edward VII Land
The Discovery follows the Barrier to its eastern extremity where, on 30 January, the land predicted by Ross was confirmed, and named King Edward VII Land
Discovery Expedition
Scott lands on the Barrier and unpacks an observation balloon which he had acquired for aerial surveys
Discovery Expedition
The Discovery enters McMurdo Sound and later that day anchors in a spot near its southern limit which was afterwards christened Winter Quarters Bay. Of the entire party, none were skilled skiers and only Bernacchi and Armitage had any experience with dog-sledges. The results of the mens early efforts to master these techniques were not encouraging, and tended to reinforce Scotts preference for man-hauling
Discovery of Winter Quarters Bay
The Discovery enters McMurdo Sound and later that day anchors in a spot near its southern limit which was afterwards christened Winter Quarters Bay
Discovery Expedition
Scott, Wilson and Shackleton left on 2 November 1902 with dogs and supporting parties. Their goal was "to get as far south in a straight line on the Barrier ice as we can, reach the Pole if possible, or find some new land"
Farthest South
With Shackleton and Wilson reaches a farthest south of about 82 degrees 17 minutes south before turning back
Discovery Expedition
The second year showed improvements in technique and achievement, culminating in Scotts western journey which led to the discovery of the Polar Plateau
Discovery of Polar Plateau
The second year showed improvements in technique and achievement, culminating in Scotts western journey which led to the discovery of the Polar Plateau
1903
Discovery Expedition
The party reached Discovery on 24 December, after a round trip of seven hundred miles covered in 59 days. Their daily average of over 14 miles on this man-hauling journey was significantly better than that achieved with dogs on the previous seasons southern journey, a fact which further strengthened Scotts prejudices against dogs
Discovery of South Pole
Scotts team reaches the furthest south so far at 82 degrees 17S
1904
Discovery Expedition
The relief ship Morning returned, this time with a second ship, the Terra Nova.
Discovery Expedition
Most of the ice suddenly broke up, and Morning and Terra Nova are at last able to sail alongside Discovery.
Discovery Expedition
The Discovery begins the return journey to New Zealand
Discovery Expedition
On its return to Britain the expeditions reception was initially muted. Markham was present to meet the ship in Portsmouth when Discovery docked there on 10 September 1904, but no dignitaries greeted the party when it arrived in London a few days later
Captain
Scott was quickly promoted to Captain, and invited to Balmoral Castle to meet King Edward VII, who invested him as a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO)
Discovery Expedition
Scott was quickly promoted to Captain, and invited to Balmoral Castle to meet King Edward VII, who invested him as a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO)
Discovery of Ross Island
During the Discovery Expedition it was established that Ross Island is an Island
Discovery Expedition
The Discovery Expedition reports King Edward VII Land, the Polar Plateau, the Dry Valleys, Cape Crozier's emperor penguin colony and extensive coastal and mountain surveys
Discovery of Gondwana
Publishes Discovery Expedition results including fossil evidence that helps link Antarctica with the Gondwana super-continent
Captain
Appointed Captain
Legion of Honour
Awarded the Legion of Honour
Royal Victorian Order
Invited to Balmoral for investiture by King Edward VII as a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.