A Negro Explorer at the North Pole · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in A Negro Explorer at the North Pole by Matthew Henson.
Commander Robert E. Peary
major
Also known as Peary, Robert E. Peary
Leader of the North Pole expedition, the central figure of the narrative.
Matthew Henson
major
Also known as Henson, Matt Henson, Matthew A. Henson, Matt
The narrator and Peary's trusted assistant, an African American explorer.
Captain Bob Bartlett
supporting
Also known as Bartlett, Captain Bartlett
Captain of the ship Roosevelt and key expedition member.
Professor Ross G. Marvin
supporting
Also known as Marvin, Professor Marvin
Expedition scientist who tragically drowned during the journey.
Professor Donald B. MacMillan
supporting
Also known as MacMillan, Professor Donald B. MacMillan, Prof. Donald B. MacMillan, Prof. MacMillan
Expedition member and later a noted Arctic explorer in his own right.
Dr. J. W. Goodsell
supporting
Also known as Goodsell, Dr. Goodsell
Expedition surgeon who cared for the team's health.
George Borup
supporting
Also known as Mr. Borup, young Mr. Borup, Mr. George Borup, George Borup, Borup, George
Young expedition member and assistant to Peary.
Ootah
supporting
Also known as faithful old Ootah
Loyal Eskimo hunter and dog driver on the polar journey.
Harry Whitney
minor
Also known as Mr. Harry Whitney, Mr. Whitney
American hunter and explorer who wintered in the Arctic.
Dr. Frederick A. Cook
minor
Also known as Dr. F. A. Cook, Dr. Cook, the Dr. Cook
Rival explorer who claimed to have reached the North Pole first.
Rudolph Franke
minor
Also known as Franke
Expedition member and assistant.
Kudlooktoo
minor
Eskimo member of the expedition team.
Josephine Diebitsch Peary
minor
Also known as Mrs. Peary
Peary's wife, who accompanied him on earlier Arctic expeditions.
Charley Percy
minor
Also known as Charley
Expedition steward and assistant.
Egingwah
minor
Eskimo hunter and dog driver on the expedition.
Chief Engineer Wardwell
minor
Also known as Chief Engineer Wardwell
Chief engineer of the ship Roosevelt.
Murphy
minor
Expedition member and assistant.
Billy Pritchard
minor
Also known as Billy, Pritchard
Expedition member and assistant.
Hugh J. Lee
minor
Also known as Hugh Lee, Lee
Expedition member and assistant.
Seegloo
minor
Eskimo member of the expedition.
Panikpah
minor
Also known as old Panikpah
Eskimo woman encountered during the expedition.
Pooadloonah
minor
Eskimo member of the expedition.
Ooqueah
minor
Also known as young Ooqueah
Young Eskimo hunter on the expedition.
Koolootingwah
minor
Eskimo member of the expedition.
