The Northward Course of Empire. With an Introduction by Dr. Edward William Nelson, Chief of the United States Biological Survey.

First British edition, first impression, presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper to Ronald McNeill (1861-1934), 1st Baron Cushendun. The Northward Course of Empire examines the idea of colonizing the Arctic. The recipient was a British Conservative politician and under-secretary of state for foreign affairs at the time of presentation: "London: June 29, 1923. Dear Mr. McNeill: This is the book we spoke of the other day - the one that presents the facts and theories upon which I consider we should have a new world outlook and a new public policy. Wrangel Island is a minor but pressing item in a general situation. Vilhjalmur Stefansson. Ronald McNeill, Esq.". The Arctic explorer and anthropologist Vilhjalmur Stefansson (1879-1962) was born in Manitoba to Icelandic parents. In this work, Stefansson discusses the potential productivity of the Arctic, including "its habitability, and established industries" (Sorlin, p. 153). In his book, The Friendly Arctic (1921) Stefansson claime that with the right equipment and knowledge, one would live well, if not luxuriously, on the tundra. Sadly, this proved untrue in his attempt to claim Wrangel Island north of Siberia for Canada. After two years, the Inupiat woman Ada Blackjack was saved after a harrowing time on the island. She was one of five settlers who survived. Wrangel Island was officially claimed by the Soviet government in 1926. Stefansson, no stranger to controversy, often had a polarizing effect; supporters considered him a visionary genius and a "prophet of the North", while critics labelled him a reckless and manipulative adventurer. Arctic Bibliography 16839. Sverker Sorlin, Libby Robin, & Paul Warde (eds.), The Future of Nature: Documents of Global Change, 2013. Octavo. With 8 halftone photographic plates, 2 maps (one folding). Original dark green combed cloth, spine lettered in gilt, front cover with title blocked in blind, lower edge untrimmed. Boards slightly bowed, minor discolouration to rear cover, just starting at title, minor foxing or toning. A very good copy.…