Richard Evelyn Byrd

Byrd, Richard Evelyn (1888–1957), U.S. aviator and pioneer of exploration and research in Antarctica. He led the air unit with D. B. MacMillan's 1925 Arctic expedition and, with Floyd Bennett, overflew the North Pole (1926). In 1929 he flew over the South Pole. Beginning as a Navy flier, he rose to the rank of Rear Admiral in 1930. He made 5 important expeditions to Antarctica (1928–1956), established the Antarctic base camp Little America, and spent the entire winter of 1933–34 alone at an advance camp. He was in charge of the U.S. Antarctic program from 1955.

See also: Antarctica.