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Hayes, Isaac Israel, 1832-1881

 

Biography

Isaac Israel Hays was born on March 5, 1832 in Chester County, Pennsylvania. He completed his medical studies at the University of Pennsylvania after which he became the ship's surgeon for the 1853-5 expedition led by Elisha Kent Kane to search for John Franklin. His 1854 exploration of the east coast of Ellesmere Island resulted in new and accurately mapped geographical discoveries. Hayes led his own expedition in 1860, which claimed to have reached the farthest north land ever, on the Ellesmere Island coast. He returned to the United States in 1861. During the Civil War, Hayes commanded Satterlee Hospital, a sprawling Union army 4,500-bed hospital in Philadelphia. After the War, he visited Southern Greenland with artist William Bradford. In 1874, he visited Iceland as a correspondent. Hayes died on December 17, 1881.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Isaac Israel Hayes papers

 Collection
Identifier: Mss-234
Stefansson Mss-234
Date(s): 1860 to 1881
Abstract

Isaac Israel Hayes (1832-1881), arctic explorer and physician. The collection consists of Hayes' manuscript for his book "From Pole to Pole," photographs and printed matter related to his career.

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