George Murray Levick

George Murray Levick

George Murray Levick (1876–1956) was a British Royal Navy surgeon, zoologist, and photographer who is best known for his work as a member of the Terra Nova Expedition to Antarctica from 1910 to 1913. He made significant contributions to the study of penguins and other Antarctic wildlife.

Early Life and Education

Levick was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, in 1876. He studied medicine at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London, where he qualified as a surgeon.

Terra Nova Expedition

Levick joined the Terra Nova Expedition, led by Robert Falcon Scott, as the expedition's surgeon and zoologist. The expedition aimed to reach the South Pole and conduct scientific research. Levick was part of the Northern Party, which was tasked with exploring the coast of Victoria Land.

Contributions to Zoology

During the expedition, Levick conducted extensive studies on the Adélie penguin colonies at Cape Adare. He meticulously documented their breeding behaviors, social interactions, and feeding habits. His observations were groundbreaking and provided valuable insights into the life of these birds.

Levick's findings were published in his work, "Antarctic Penguins," which remains a significant contribution to the field of ornithology. However, some of his observations on the sexual behaviors of penguins were considered too explicit for publication at the time and were only rediscovered and published in the 21st century.

Later Life

After returning from Antarctica, Levick continued his medical career and served in the Royal Navy during World War I. He also founded the Public Schools Exploring Society, which later became the British Schools Exploring Society (BSES), to promote scientific exploration among young people.

Levick passed away in 1956, leaving behind a legacy of scientific discovery and exploration.

Legacy

Levick's work has had a lasting impact on the study of Antarctic wildlife. His detailed observations of penguin behavior have been invaluable to researchers and have helped to shape our understanding of these unique birds.

See Also

• Terra Nova Expedition
• Robert Falcon Scott
• Adélie penguin
• Antarctica
• Ornithology