8/26/2008:
Born on November 3, 1879 in Arnes, Manitoba, Vilhjalmur Stefansson went on to become one of the most recognized Arctic researchers of all time. Although claimed by Canada as their greatest Arctic explorer, Vilhjalmur moved from his native land when he was only eighteen months old. In 1881 the Stefanssons moved to a farm in Dakota Territory, near the town of Mountain, located in present-day Pembina County, North Dakota.
Vilhjalmur’s early education was informal at best. His father having died when he was very young, Vilhjalmur gave up traditional schooling in order to assist his family on the farm. As a result, Vilhjalmur taught himself, gaining much of his education through study of the Bible and reading local publications. Armed with his ‘do-it-yourself’ education, Stefansson successfully enrolled in college, attending classes at the University of North Dakota, where he became very popular with the student body. Vilhjalmur edited the school newspaper, and was voted the best orator at UND but his constant pranks, such as parking the horse carriage of UND’s president in front of a local house of ill repute, got him into trouble with the administration and he was permanently suspended from the school. Stefansson moved on with his college career. He obtained a B.A. in religious studies at the University of Iowa and a M.A. in anthropology from Harvard.
Inspired by his anthropological studies, Stefansson set out into the research field focusing his work on the inhabitants of the Arctic. He was one of the earliest Arctic explorers to live as one of those he studied, believing that it was a mistake for explorers to bring along their own traditions and customs into the research field. Stefansson instead claimed that it was much more productive and profitable to take up the practices of those who had already adapted to life in the Arctic north. On his many Arctic expeditions Stefansson took his own advice. Abandoning Western foods, he lived for months on just meat and animal fat. His high protein, low carb, low sugar lifestyle seemed to suit Stefansson, and when he returned from his expeditions, he was the model of good health.
Besides being a pioneer of the South Beach Diet, Vilhjalmur Stefansson was widely considered an expert on the Arctic, and his expertise was sought by a number of organizations. Pan American Airlines hired him to plan some of their northern air routes, and the United States government put him to work assisting in the protection of Alaska from Japanese attacks during World War Two.
After spending a lifetime working to uncover the mysteries of the Arctic North, and touting its beauty and grandeur, Vilhjalmur Stefansson passed away on this date, August 26, 1962.
Sources
Berry, Erick. Mr. Arctic: An Account of Vilhjalmur Stefansson. New York: David McKay Company, Inc., 1966.
Eriksmoen, Curt. Did You Know That...?: 47 Fascinating Stories About People Who Have Lived in North Dakota. Vol. 1: McCleery & Sons Publishing, 2006.
Pálsson, Gísli, "The Legacy of Vilhjalmur Stefansson", Stefansson Arctic Institute http://www.thearctic.is/PDF/G%EDsli%20um%20Vilj%E1lm.pdf (accessed August 9, 2008).