Alfred Hodgeman (8 August 1885 – January 1964) was an Australian architect and

cartographer Cartography (; from grc, χάρτης , "papyrus, sheet of paper, map"; and , "write") is the study and practice of making and using maps. Combining science, aesthetics and technique, cartography builds on the premise that reality (or an im ...

known for his involvement in the

Australasian Antarctic expedition The Australasian Antarctic Expedition was a 1911–1914 expedition headed by Douglas Mawson that explored the largely uncharted Antarctic coast due south of Australia. Mawson had been inspired to lead his own venture by his experiences on Ernest ...

Biography

Alfred James Hodgeman was born in

Adelaide, South Australia Adelaide ( ) is the list of Australian capital cities, capital city of South Australia, the state's largest city and the list of cities in Australia by population, fifth-most populous city in Australia. "Adelaide" may refer to either Greater A ...

on 8 August 1885. His parents were Alfred Hodgeman and Helen Davidson Pennington. He was employed by the South Australian government as a

draughtsman A draughtsman (British spelling) or draftsman (American spelling) may refer to: * An architectural drafter, who produced architectural drawings until the late 20th century * An artist who produces drawings that rival or surpass their other types ...

and was later an architect. Hodgeman was asked by Sir

Douglas Mawson Sir Douglas Mawson OBE FRS FAA (5 May 1882 – 14 October 1958) was an Australian geologist, Antarctic explorer, and academic. Along with Roald Amundsen, Robert Falcon Scott, and Sir Ernest Shackleton, he was a key expedition leader during ...

to design the huts for the Australasian Antarctic Expedition and selected to join the expedition. The huts were prefabricated in sections to allow for transport to

Antarctica Antarctica () is Earth's southernmost and least-populated continent. Situated almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle and surrounded by the Southern Ocean, it contains the geographic South Pole. Antarctica is the fifth-largest contine ...

. As part of his role, Hodgeman oversaw the construction of the main hut at the main base and took part in several sledging expeditions, recording routes taken, coastlines and topography. He also remained behind awaiting the return of the

Far Eastern Party The Far Eastern Party was a sledging component of the 1911–1914 Australasian Antarctic expedition, which investigated the previously unexplored coastal regions of Antarctica west of Cape Adare. Led by Douglas Mawson, the party aimed to explore ...

, Mawson,

Belgrave Edward Sutton Ninnis Belgrave Edward Sutton Ninnis (22 June 1887 – 14 December 1912) was an English officer in the Royal Fusiliers and an Antarctic explorer who was a member of Douglas Mawson's 1911 Australasian Antarctic expedition. Antarctica, 1911–19 ...

and

Xavier Mertz Xavier Guillaume Mertz (6 October 1882 – 8 January 1913) was a Swiss polar explorer, mountaineer, and skier who took part in the Far Eastern Party, a 1912–1913 component of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, which claimed his life. ...

. Mertz and Ninnis died on the

journey Journey or journeying may refer to: * Travel, the movement of people between distant geographical locations ** Day's journey, a measurement of distance ** Road trip, a long-distance journey on the road Animals * Journey (horse), a thoroughbred ra ...

and only Mawson returned alive; Hodgeman designed the plaque and helped to construct a Memorial Cross for Mertz and Ninnis. The Hodgeman Islands are named for him. After his return, he travelled to London at Mawson's request to assist with the preparation of plans and drawings for Mawson's publication about the expedition, ''Home of the Blizzard''. He enlisted in World War I and saw active service, including at

Gallipoli The Gallipoli peninsula (; tr, Gelibolu Yarımadası; grc, Χερσόνησος της Καλλίπολης, ) is located in the southern part of East Thrace, the European part of Turkey, with the Aegean Sea to the west and the Dardanelles ...

and in Macedonia. He settled in England and married Vera St John LeBlond in 1921. The couple had three children. In the 1920s, Hodgeman was invited by Mawson to join his second Antarctic expedition, the

British Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition The British Australian (and) New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition (BANZARE) was a research expedition into Antarctica between 1929 and 1931, involving two voyages over consecutive Austral summers. It was a British Commonwealth initiative, dr ...

, but declined the invitation. During World War II he worked at the

Portsmouth naval base His Majesty's Naval Base, Portsmouth (HMNB Portsmouth) is one of three operating bases in the United Kingdom for the Royal Navy (the others being HMNB Clyde and HMNB Devonport). Portsmouth Naval Base is part of the city of Portsmouth; it is lo ...

and also served in the

Home Guard Home guard is a title given to various military organizations at various times, with the implication of an emergency or reserve force raised for local defense. The term "home guard" was first officially used in the American Civil War, starting wi ...

. He remained in England, and never returned to Australia. Hodgeman died in January 1964.

References

External links

Ground plan of the hut, by Hodgeman (available online)

Longitudinal and transverse section plan of the Auckland Island Hut, by Hodgeman (available online)

Section showing the sea floor between Hobart and the Antarctic about the 147th Meridian east from soundings taken on board the "Aurora", Australasian Antarctic Expedition 1911–1914, drawn by Hodgeman (available online)

Sketch of the Macquarie Island hut, by Hodgeman (available online)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hodgeman, Alfred 1885 births 1964 deaths Australasian Antarctic Expedition Australian explorers Explorers of Antarctica

Biography

See also

References

External links