November 30

George Glas was a Scottish merchant and navigator born in 1725. He conducted pioneering explorations along the West African coast, mapping unknown regions and documenting local cultures. In 1755 he published an influential account of his voyages, advocating for improved trade routes. Glas proposed a transcontinental link through the Niger River basin, centuries before its realization. Tragically, he was murdered on his return expedition in 1765, cutting short his promising career. His writings remained a valuable resource for future African explorers.

Edward John Eyre was born in 1815 and became a prominent explorer of Australia’s uncharted interior. He led the first successful crossing of the Nullarbor Plain in 1841, mapping vast regions and reporting on local Aboriginal communities. Eyre later served as Lieutenant-Governor of New Zealand’s New Munster Province and Governor of Jamaica. His harsh suppression of the Morant Bay Rebellion in 1865 sparked debate over colonial governance and justice. Eyre’s actions divided public opinion, with some praising his firmness and others condemning his brutality. He retired in England and remained a controversial figure until his death in 1901.

Hélène Boucher was born in 1908 in Paris and developed a passion for aviation at an early age. In 1934, she set multiple women's world speed records, reaching over 445 km/h in a Caudron C.430. Her achievements brought her national fame and broke gender barriers in a male-dominated field. She tragically died in a plane crash later that year, at only 26 years old. Boucher remains a pioneering figure in French aviation history.

Hubert Wilkins was an Australian explorer and aviator famous for polar expeditions. He pioneered aerial surveys of Antarctica and the Arctic regions. Wilkins led the first privately funded submarine voyage beneath Arctic ice. His work as an ornithologist and geographer expanded scientific knowledge of remote areas. He published books and articles that inspired public interest in exploration. His multidisciplinary career spanned natural history, mapping, and photography. Wilkins's adventurous spirit influenced future generations of explorers.