Early Life

Sir Ernest Shackleton was born on the 15th of February 1874 in County Kildare Ireland. The Shackleton's came originally from Yorkshire. Ernest Henry Shackleton was the eldest son of Henry Shackleton and Henrietta Gavan. His parents got married in 1872. On his Father's side, the Shackleton's had lived in County Kildare since the 1720s. But on his Mother's side, the Gavan's had lived in Ireland for 800 years, since the 12th Century. His Father Henry Shackleton, was a doctor and his Mother Henrietta, was a normal Mother looking after ten children. There were only two boys, and eight girls. The Shackleton's family moved to London in 1884 where Shackleton was educated at Dulwich Collage. As Shackleton was rejecting his Father's wish that he became a doctor, he joined the Merchant Navy. He joined the Navy when he was only 16 and qualified as a master mariner in 1898. Sir Ernest Shackleton was a British Antarctic explorer. Shackleton travelled widely, but was keen to explore the poles. He travelled to Antarctica with Captain Scott on an expedition. Shortly after the arrival, he became very ill and was invalid from home in 1903. After Captain Scott died, Shackleton wanted to tackle the challenge of Antarctica in a different way. Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton is a very challenging man. I think he chose to become an explore because he always wanted to travel the sea and wanted to travel widely.