Norwegian-born Roald Amundsen led the first successful South Pole expedition, beating Robert Scott in 1911. He was also the first person to navigate through the Northwest Passage (1903-1906). After his South Pole exploits, Amundsen turned to air exploration and, in fact, disappeared in an effort to rescue his colleague Umberto Nobile who had crashed his dirigible. Bibliography: Langley, Andrew; illustrated by Kevin Barnes. The Great Polar Adventure: The Journeys of Roald Amundsen. New York : Chelsea Juniors, c1994. Flaherty, Leo; introductory essay by Michael Collins. Roald Amundsen and the Quest for the South Pole. New York : Chelsea House Publishers, c1992. Mason , Antony. Peary and Amundsen: Race to the Poles. Austin, Tex. : Raintree Steck-Vaughn, c1995