# Ernest Shackleton — South! character guide > Ernest Shackleton in South! by Ernest Shackleton. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Sir Ernest Shackleton, Shackleton, Sir Ernest **First appearance:** 0002-south ## Snapshot Leader of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, whose stubborn optimism and tactical nerve held his men together against the ice. ## Who they are Shackleton narrates the expedition as its commander, weighing coal, ice, and the lives of his men with each decision. He admits failure without surrendering to it, turning back from impenetrable pack while already planning the next attempt. His voice is the spine of the book, and his refusal to let the Antarctic win defines the early and middle arc. ## In the story ### [South!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/south) Leader of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition; central figure in the chapter's narrative. ### [Into the Weddell Sea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/i-into-the-weddell-sea) Leader of the expedition, making strategic decisions about the route and wintering plans. ### [New Land](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/ii-new-land) Commands the expedition, plans the march across Antarctica, and orders preparations for a winter siege after the ship becomes beset. ### [IV: Loss of the Endurance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/iv-loss-of-the-endurance) Orders the abandonment of the Endurance and leads the crew onto the ice, making critical decisions for survival. ### [Ocean Camp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/v-ocean-camp) Decides to establish Ocean Camp and conserve sledging rations for the boat journey. ### [The March Between](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/vi-the-march-between) Leads the march, reconnoiters ahead with Wild, and makes the difficult decision to halt and establish Patience Camp. ### [VII: Patience Camp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/vii-patience-camp) Leads the expedition, makes strategic decisions about food retrieval and dog culling, and sends out parties to Ocean Camp. ### [VIII: Escape from the Ice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/viii-escape-from-the-ice) Leads the escape, makes critical decisions about food, towing, and camp location; feels the weight of leadership anxiety. ### [The Boat Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/ix-the-boat-journey) Leader of the expedition; makes the decision to sail to South Georgia and selects the boat crew. ### [X: Across South Georgia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/x-across-south-georgia) Leads the crossing, makes critical decisions, and reflects on the spiritual dimension of the journey. ### [The Rescue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/xi-the-rescue) Leads the rescue efforts, organizes multiple attempts to reach Elephant Island, and finally succeeds with the Yelcho. ### [The Last Relief](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/xvii-the-last-relief) Arrives in New Zealand and joins the relief expedition, leading shore searches for missing men. ### [Appendix I: Scientific Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/appendix-i) Mentioned as leader of the expedition; his decision to set up instruments on the ship when landing proved impossible. ### [Physics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/physics) Leader of the expedition; his ship's drift and position were key to the scientific work described. ### [South Atlantic Whales and Whaling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/south-atlantic-whales-and-whaling) Leader of the expedition; oversaw studies of whales and whaling during the month-long stay at South Georgia. ### [Appendix II: The Expedition Huts at McMurdo Sound](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/appendix-ii-the-expedition-huts-at-mcmurdo-sound) Author of the appendix; recounts his experiences with the huts during his expeditions. ### [The National Antarctic Expedition’s Hut at Hut Point—The Head of McMurdo Sound](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/the-national-antarctic-expedition-s-hut-at-hut-point-the-head-of-mcmurdo-sound) Author and narrator; served as Third Lieutenant on Discovery, later led the 1908 Nimrod expedition and used the hut. ### [Cape Royds Hut](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/cape-royds-hut) Narrator and commander of the 1908 British Antarctic Expedition; describes the building and provisioning of Cape Royds hut. ### [Cape Evans Hut](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/chapters/cape-evans-hut) Author of the chapter; rescued the survivors and had the hut put in order and locked up in January 1917. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/characters/ernest_shackleton - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/south_se/characters