Overt Edwin Peary (May 6, 1856 - February 20, 1920) - American researcher of the Arctic, a traveler. Dedicated 23 years of life to the task of reaching the North Pole, carried out several expeditions to Greenland and the Central Arctic. Officially considered the first person to reach the North Pole. According to him, this happened on April 6, 1909. Almost simultaneously about his achievement of arrest, the American Frederick Cook (according to him, he reached the Pole on April 21, 1908), the proceedings between them lasted until Piri's death. The discussion on this issue has not been completed to this day, since the middle of the 20th century, versions have spread that neither Piri nor Cook have reached the North Pole; In general, the critical attitude prevailed over Piri's legacy. He came from a well-to-do family, received an engineering education. Since 1881, he served in the US Navy in the Corps of Civil Engineers with the rank of lieutenant, in 1902 he was awarded the title of commander, in 1910 he was awarded the title of Captain. In 1886, he developed his own project of crossing Greenland and on skis advanced to the depths of the glacier at 160 km. In 1887, he participated in the construction of the route of the Nicaraguan Canal. In expeditions to Greenland, he was accompanied by his wife (in the Arctic they had a daughter in 1893), Norwegian Eivin Astrup and doctor Frederick Cook, who later became his main rival in achieving the main goal. In the expedition of 1893-1895 the giant iron meteorite "Cape York" was opened, which later was taken to the USA. The discoveries allowed the traveler to draw the attention of the government and the establishment and organize the "Piri Arctic Club". During the expedition of 1898-1902, the northern extremity of Greenland, Cape Jesup, was discovered. The expedition of 1905-1906 was specially devoted to the achievement of the North Pole. Piri claimed that on April 20, 1906, reached a latitude of 87 ° 06 '. The last expedition of Piri in 1908-1909 was, according to him, crowned with complete success. In all the expeditions Piri used the Eskimos of the tribe who lived on Cape York, who supplied him with meat, furs, sled dogs, sewed polar clothes and served as guides and guards. After long proceedings with Cook, a special act of Congress, Peary was officially proclaimed the discoverer of the North Pole and, when retired, promoted to the Rear Admiral (1911). He was awarded many awards of geographical societies around the world and the descendants of the Legion of Honor. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.