With Matthew Peary, he was first to reach the North Pole (1909).
He worked as a dishwasher in local cafes before landing a job as a cabin boy at age 12.
Despite being the first to ever reach the North Pole, he is often overshadowed by his partner.
He was raised by his uncle after his parents died when he was a child.
His great grandnephew worked with Bill Crosby.
