Scotland and the Antarctic

Section 4: William Speirs Bruce - early exploration

William Speirs Bruce was born in Kensington Gardens Square in London in 1867. His father, Samuel, was born in Scotland and his mother was Welsh. Bruce's paternal grandfather came from Glasgow and his grandmother (Charity Isbister) came from the Orkney Islands. Bruce's father had a very successful medical practice in London - necessary in order to support his eight children, his sister and father, servants, nursemaids and coachmen. The family walked every day in Kensington Gardens and sometimes visited the Natural History Museum. This may have been the start of Bruce's interest in environmental studies.

1. Bruce's education
2. Voyage of the Balaena
3. Ben Nevis Observatory
4. Jackson-Harmsworth expedition
5. Blencathra expedition 1898
6. Princess Alice expedition 1898-99