British naval officer and explorer (1868-1912) best known for the two expeditions he led to the Antarctic, the Discovery Expedition and the ill-fated Terra Nova Expedition. ALS signed "R. Scott," one page both sides, 8 x 10, British Antarctic Expedition 1910 letterhead, August 26, 1910. Handwritten letter to a gentleman, marked "Private," in part: "I have received your kind invitation…I hope you will forgive me for writing to you candidly on this subject. My time is fully occupied and beyond the preparation for my expedition my whole effort has to be devoted to completing funds. I have made an appeal to City Companies which has only been responded to in 3 cases and it would be a waste of my time to attend a dinner without the hope of obtaining help for my enterprise." In very good to fine condition, with trimmed edges, two short edge tears, toning from prior display, and old mounting remnants to the corners of the signed page.
Unlike the Discovery expedition, where fundraising was handled by the Royal Society and the Royal Geographical Society, Scott organized the Terra Nova Expedition as a private venture without significant institutional support. Scott estimated the total cost at £40,000, half of which was eventually met by a government grant. The balance was raised by public subscription and loans. The fundraising task was largely carried out by Scott himself, and was a considerable drain on his time and energy. While the expedition did have scientific and geological goals, Scott raised funds by appealing to the patriotism of the English people, defining the objects of the expedition in his initial public appeal: 'The main objective of this expedition is to reach the South Pole, and to secure for The British Empire the honour of this achievement.'
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