Georg Neumayer

Georg Neumayer June 21, 1826-May 24, 1909, was a Bavarian polar explorer and scientist who conceived the idea of international cooperation for meteorology and scientific observation.

He was born on June 21, 1826 in Kirchheim-Bolanden, Pfalz.

In 1851 he finished his education about geophysics and hydrography in Munich. He then sailed as an ordinary sailor to Brazil and Australia

In 1856 he returned to Germany to raise money.

In 1857 he established the Flagstaff Observatory for Geophysics,Magnetism and Nautical Science in Melbourne, Australia. He remained the director until 1864.

In 1865 he returned to Germany.

From 1874 to 1876 he organized the "Gazelle Expedition."

From 1876 to 1903 he was the director of the German Hydrographic Office.

In 1879 he chaired the International Polar Commission with Karl Weyprecht founding the 1882 - 83 - 1st International Polar Year (IPY) and the Antarctic Year 1901.

In 1895 he started the German Commission for South Polar Exploration.

In 1901 he supported the "Gauss" expedition to Antarctica ( 1st German Southpolar Expedition).

On May 24, 1909 he died in Neustadt an der Weinstraße.

Books: Georg Neumayer, "Die internationale Polarforschung" (Berlin 1886 / 2 volums) Georg Neumayer, "Auf zum Südpol" (Berlin 1901)