# Captain Scott — The Worst Journey in the World character guide > Captain Scott in The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-Garrard. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Scott, Poor Captain Scott, 187 Scott, R. Scott, Capt. Scott **First appearance:** 0003-the-worst-journey-in-the-world ## Snapshot The expedition's driven commander, who staked everything on reaching the Pole while hauling a full scientific program behind him. ## Who they are Scott leads the Terra Nova as both polar conqueror-in-waiting and reluctant administrator of a sprawling scientific enterprise, juggling motor sledges, ponies, dogs, and man-hauling against Amundsen's single-minded dash. His appetite for daring — and his refusal to choose between the Pole and Wilson's penguin eggs — piles feat upon feat until the men are sledged out with their worst year still ahead. Cherry-Garrard's portrait makes him less a hero than a man whose very largeness of ambition becomes the expedition's central tension. ## In the story ### [The Worst Journey in the World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/the-worst-journey-in-the-world) Leader of the expedition, central figure in the narrative. ### [I: From England to South Africa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/i-from-england-to-south-africa) Scott is mentioned as the leader who organized the expedition, noting that the worst part was over after preparation. He announced Cardiff as the first port on return. ### [II: Making Our Easting Down](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/ii-making-our-easting-down) Scott lands in Australia with a cheerful mind, pleased with the crew's enthusiasm and comradeship. He places increasing trust in Campbell and recognizes Bowers' seamanlike qualities. ### [III: Southward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/iii-southward) Makes critical decisions about banked fires and steam, consults with Wilson in the crow's nest, and grows attached to the Terra Nova. ### [The Depot Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/v-the-depot-journey) Busy making arrangements for a further year's stay; takes reverses like a brick; expresses relief when missing men are found; decides to proceed as though Amundsen's presence had not happened. ### [The Return of the Pony Party from One Ton Depot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/the-return-of-the-pony-party-from-one-ton-depot) Asked Bowers to take theodolite observations; delighted to see Weary Willie going well when the dog team was caught up. ### [The Return of the Dog Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/the-return-of-the-dog-party) Leads the dog party, makes critical decisions during the crevasse rescue and the pony rescue, and later walks with Cherry-Garrard. ### [VI: The First Winter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/vi-the-first-winter) Described as the driving force of the expedition, a quick and modern brain, shy and reserved yet dominating, with a subtle character full of lights and shades. He is shown as a hard sledger who could not tolerate delays and was sensitive to a fault. ### [VII: The Winter Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/vii-the-winter-journey) Mentioned as the leader who requested the party to test rations for the Polar Journey; his diary is quoted praising the winter journey. ### [Spring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/viii-spring) Finalizes Southern Journey plans with Bowers's help; expresses cautious optimism despite setbacks; becomes worried and unhappy over mishaps. ### [The Polar Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/ix-the-polar-journey) Leads the polar party, makes key decisions about pony forage and the glacier ascent, and reflects on the motor sledges. ### [The Barrier Stage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/i-the-barrier-stage) Scott is depicted as a meticulous and efficient leader, emphasizing order and routine in camp. He is also shown as a companionable figure during meals, sharing personal anecdotes about authors like Barrie and Galsworthy. ### [X: The Polar Journey (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/x-the-polar-journey-continued) Scott laments the bad luck of the blizzard and deep snow, and is heartrendingly forced to choose which men will continue. ### [The Beardmore Glacier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/ii-the-beardmore-glacier) Leads the expedition, makes critical decisions about route and team composition, and expresses heartrending choices about who continues. ### [XI: The Polar Journey (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/xi-the-polar-journey-continued) Scott led the polar party and made the decision to take five men forward; his team was the strongest on the glacier. ### [III: The Plateau from Mount Darwin to Lat. 87° 2′ S.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/iii-the-plateau-from-mount-darwin-to-lat-87-2-s) Leads the first team, makes the decision to take five men to the Pole, and writes hopeful notes home. ### [Returning Parties](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/iv-returning-parties) Scott bids farewell to the returning party, expressing confidence in success and gratitude for their assistance. ### [XVII: The Polar Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/xvii-the-polar-journey) Records the disappointment at finding Amundsen's flag, notes the cold and fatigue of the party, and logs wind conditions during the plateau journey. ### [The Pole and After](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/v-the-pole-and-after) Leader of the polar party, aged 43, anxious but resolute; praised his companions and made the decision to take five men to the Pole. ### [XVIII: The Polar Journey (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/xviii-the-polar-journey-continued) Scott's diary entries form the core of the chapter, recording the party's suffering, the deaths of Evans and Oates, and his own declining hope. ### [VI: Farthest South](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/vi-farthest-south) Leader of the Polar Party; his diary entries and letters document the party's struggles and his final message. ### [XIX: Never Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/xix-never-again) Cherry-Garrard discusses Scott's leadership, his decision to include scientific work alongside the polar journey, and the fatal consequences of the chosen transport methods. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/endnotes) Cited extensively in endnotes referencing his journals and published works. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/characters/captain_scott - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/characters