The human instinct to discover, claim and name is deeply rooted, and was never stronger than in the nineteenth century, when Western Europeans conquered much of the planet. But by the end of the century there wasn’t much left to claim, except the poles, which is what prompted a group of fiery Belgian patriots to head towards the South Pole on a mission to claim this wasteland for Brussels.
22 July 2021, The Tablet
Speed reading: MARCUS TANNER goes to sea
Get Instant Access
Continue Reading
Register for free to read this article in full
Subscribe for unlimited access
From just £30 quarterly
Complete access to all Tablet website content including all premium content.
The full weekly edition in print and digital including our 179 years archive.
PDF version to view on iPad, iPhone or computer.
Already a subscriber? Login