McConnell, Burt Morton, 1888-1960
Dates
- Existence: 1888 - 1960
Biography
Burt McConnell was born in Port Norris, N.J. in 1888. He attended the American School of Physical Education in Chicago and took extension courses at Columbia University. In 1913, he was hired by Vilhjalmur Stefansson as his assistant, and joined Stefansson, as a meteorologist, on the failed Canadian Arctic Expedition (1913-1914). He later took part in the rescue of survivors of the "Karluk," one of the ships that had sunk during the expedition. In World War I, McConnell served in the aviation Section of the Army Signal Corps. After the war he became a newspaper and magazine writer, specializing in aviation and Arctic exploration. He was also on the staff of the "Literary Digest" from 1919-1929 and later edited the "Explorers Journal." During World War II, McConnell served as captain in the Army Air Forces at Cold Bay in the Aleutians. He was active in cold-survival tests and in the development of equipment an methods of avoiding frostbite and freezing. McConnell died on September 23, 1960, at the age of 72.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Burt Morton McConnell papers
Burt McConnell (1888-1960), secretary to Stefansson and freelance writer. Consist of shorthand diaries (1913-1914) with transcripts, correspondence, as well as printed matter and memorabilia relating to the Canadian Arctic Expedition of 1913-1918 and to the Karluk rescue mission (1914).