| Main Performers | Dr Fridtjof Nansen,
Sir Clements Markham (RGS President, Chair),
Admiral Sir Leopold M'Clintock,
Admiral Sir George Nares,
Lieutenant Scott-Hansen - speakers |
| Set List | Introduction (Sir Clements Markham)
Lecture with photographic and illustrative slides (Dr Nansen),
Vote of Thanks (Admiral Sir Leopold M'Clintock),
Sconding the Vote (Admiral Sir George Nares),
Speech and Presentation of Medals to Dr Nansen and Lieutenant Scott-Hansen (HRH The Prince of Wales)
Thanks (Dr.Nansen) |
| Royal Presence | HRH The Prince of Wales (RGS Vice-Patron),
HRH The Duke of York (RGS Honorary President) |
| Performance Notes | Dr Nansen lectured on his Arctic expedition before a crowded assemblage of members of the Royal Geographical Society and others. Sir Clements Markham, President of the Society, occupied the Chair. Dr Nansen gave a vigorous and interesting account of his explorations and adventures which was illustrated with Limelight photographic views. The Prince of Wales, as Vice-President of the Royal Geographical Society, presented special medals to Dr Nansen and Lieutenant Scott-Hansen, as scientific leader of the expedition.
A sketch map showing the route of the 'Fram' with Nansen's and Johansen's sledge journey used at these meeting is held by the Royal Geographical Society - RGS-IBG Collections (Call no.482).
"THE NANSEN MEETING IN THE ALBERT HALL
PRESENTATION OF THE SPECIAL MEDAL
On Monday, February 8, an audience of about 7000 Fellows and their friends assembled in the Albert Hall, to welcome Dr Nansen, listen to the story of his remarkable enterprise, and witness the presentation of the special gold mdal awarded by the Council... At the table were seated Dr Nansen and Lieut. Scott-Hansen (one of the scientific staff of the Fram), Sir Leopold M'Clintock and Sir George Nares. On the platform, besides the Vice-Presidents and Council, were several foreign ambassadors and ministers, the President of the Royal Society, a number of the British arctic explorers, and othe rdistinguished men. The reception which Dr Nansen met with was of the most enthusiastic character. He held close attention of the audience for nearly an hour and a half, while be told, without the assistance of manuscript, his story of the Fram and the venture of himself and Lieut. Johansen. The story was illustrated with a series of about fifty slides projected on the screen, partly from photographs and partly from Dr Nansen's own coloured sketches. They were admirably executed, clear, and effective, and illustrated in a striking manner the scenes in the midst of which the expedition spent three years, and some of the incidents that occurred. The address wa slistened to with thec closest attention, and enthusiastically applauded."
(The Geographical Journal, Vol.9, No.3, March 1897) |
| Related Archival Material | Illustration |