Douglas Mawson

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Records

Sir Douglas Mawson's achievements are extraordinary by any measure. He was knighted in 1914, a Fellow of the Royal Society, and a founding Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. His leadership of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition produced groundbreaking scientific results, and his solo trek of over 160 kilometres remains one of the greatest feats of endurance in polar history. His work on BANZARE helped secure 42 per cent of Antarctica for Australia, a lasting geopolitical contribution. His portrait on the $100 note and the naming of numerous Antarctic landmarks ensure his memory endures.

AwardsMawson received numerous honours for his contributions to science and exploration. He was knighted in 1914, appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire, and elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1923. He was awarded the Founder's Medal of the Royal Geographical Society in 1915, the Clarke Medal of the Royal Society of New South Wales in 1936, and the Wollaston Medal of the Geological Society of London in 1936. He also received honorary doctorates from several universities.

Honours & Distinctions

Knight Bachelor

British Crown·1914

Knighted for contributions to Antarctic exploration.

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

British Empire·1914

Appointed OBE for services to exploration.

Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS)

Royal Society·1923

Elected for outstanding contributions to science.

Founding Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science

Australian Academy of Science·1954

One of the founding fellows.

Honorary Doctorate

University of Adelaide·1914

Honorary doctorate for scientific achievements.

Honorary Doctorate

University of Cambridge·1914

Honorary doctorate for scientific achievements.

Records & Feats

First to reach the South Magnetic Pole

Historic First·1909

Led the party that reached the South Magnetic Pole on 16 January 1909, a historic first.

Longest solo sledging trek in Antarctic history at the time

Endurance·1913

Walked over 160 kilometres alone after the deaths of his companions, surviving extreme conditions.