Robert Edwin Peary: A Life of Arctic Exploration Robert Edwin Peary Sr. (May 6, 1856 – February 20, 1920) was an American explorer and officer in the United States Navy who dedicated his life to exploring the Arctic regions. Though long credited with reaching the geographic North Pole, this claim remains a subject of debate. Early Life and Education Born in Cresson, Pennsylvania, Peary’s early life was marked by the loss of his father at a young age. He was subsequently raised in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. He attended Bowdoin College, graduating in 1877 with a degree in Civil Engineering. Follo…