Document information

Physical location:

A38 Royal Geographical Society of Australasia (Victorian Branch), Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales, Sydney. 96.08.17

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Alexander Macdonald, 1896-08-17. R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora, J.H. Voigt and Monika Wells (eds), Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, <https://vmcp.rbg.vic.gov.au/id//letters/1890-6/1896/96-08-17-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

17/8/96
The wondrous success of the brave Dr Nansen,
1
The Arctic explorer Fridtjof Nansen had just miraculously returned from an attempt to reach the North Pole, during which he and his companion reached a latitude of more than 86 degrees, several degrees more than had previously been achieved.
dear Mr Macdonald, calls forth our admiration particularly in the RGSA, and I would suggest that we hold early a Council-meeting, to testify our delight at these grand achievements and our hope for succour to the Fram.
2
Nansen's specially designed ship, which had continued its planned drift towards the North Pole while Nansen and his companion attempted an overland journey.
You will doubtless share my sentiments and call early a meeting of our Colleagues.
3
At the Council meeting of the Society held on 20 August 1896, on the motion of the President (i.e. M), it was resolved to send a letter of congratulations to Nansen (Transactions of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia,Victoria n Branch, vol. 14 (1897), p. 16). The letter draft, signed by the members of the Council, was published; see M to F. Nansen, 20 August 1896 (B96.14.06).
With regardful remembrance
your
Ferd von Mueller