Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld
Nils Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld (18 November 1832 – 12 August 1901) was a Finland-Swedish aristocrat, geologist, mineralogist and Arctic explorer. He was a member of the Fenno-Swedish Nordenskiöld family of scientists and held the title of a friherre (baron). His ethnicity was Finnish-Swedish.
Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld | |
|---|---|
Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld | |
| Born | 18 November 1832 |
| Died | 12 August 1901 (aged 68) Dalbyö, Sweden |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Alma mater | Imperial Alexander University of Finland |
| Known for | Vega Expedition through the Northeast Passage |
| Awards | Founder's Medal (1869) Constantine Medal (1878) Vega Medal (1881) Murchison Medal (1900) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Geology, mineralogy, cartography |
| Institutions | Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet |
Born in the Grand Duchy of Finland at the time it was a part of the Russian Empire, he was later, due to his political activity, forced to move to Sweden, where he later became a member of the Parliament of Sweden and of the Swedish Academy. He led the Vega Expedition along the northern coast of Eurasia in 1878–1879. This was the first complete crossing of the Northeast Passage. Initially a troubled enterprise, the successful expedition is considered to be among the highest achievements in the history of Swedish science.