Vilhjalmur Stefansson

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Vilhjalmur Stefansson

Vilhjalmur Stefansson (1879–1962) was a Canadian Arctic explorer and ethnologist. Stefansson is best known for his extensive studies of Inuit cultures and his expeditions to the Arctic regions.

Early Life

Stefansson was born on November 3, 1879, in Arnes, Manitoba, Canada, to Icelandic immigrants. He moved to the United States for his education, attending both the University of North Dakota and Harvard University, where he studied anthropology.

Arctic Expeditions

Stefansson led several notable Arctic expeditions. His first, from 1906 to 1907, was sponsored by the American Museum of Natural History. During this expedition, he lived with and studied the Inuit people, learning their language and adopting their way of life.

In 1913, Stefansson embarked on the Canadian Arctic Expedition, one of the most comprehensive Arctic explorations of the time. The expedition, which lasted until 1918, resulted in significant contributions to the knowledge of the Western Arctic.

Inuit Studies

Stefansson's studies of the Inuit people were groundbreaking. He was one of the first Westerners to adopt the Inuit's meat-heavy diet, a practice he advocated in his writings. His work challenged prevailing ideas about human nutrition and survival in extreme environments.

Later Life and Legacy

Stefansson continued to write and lecture about the Arctic and Inuit culture until his death in 1962. His contributions to Arctic exploration and ethnography have been widely recognized, and he remains a significant figure in the field of Arctic studies.

See Also

• Canadian Arctic Expedition
• Inuit culture
• Arctic exploration

References

• My Life with the Eskimo (1913) by Vilhjalmur Stefansson
• The Friendly Arctic: The Story of Five Years in Polar Regions (1921) by Vilhjalmur Stefansson

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