Here, on Rue Gustave Lambert, stands a tribute to a man of science. Marie Joseph Gustave Adolphe Lambert was born in France on July 1 1824. He was a hydrographer and navigator.
Gustave Lambert taught for 20 years. Later, he voyaged into Arctic seas. This inspired him to plan an expedition to the North Pole. He believed constant sunshine in summer could melt the ice. He thought this melting would allow passage to the Pole.
Lambert planned an expedition with about 15 sailors and scientists. They would leave in winter. They would reach the Pacific Ocean via Cape Horn or the Cape of Good Hope. Then, they would cross the ocean from south to north and pass the Bering Straits. Reaching open water recently found by navigators, they would follow Wrangel’s path and reach the pole. They would spend winter with the Eskimos in ice huts. In summer, they would move on and eventually return to France after several years.
The plans for Lambert’s journey were well underway. About half the funding was secured. A ship had even been purchased. However, the Franco-Prussian War in 1870 disrupted the project.
Lambert enlisted in the National Guard. Sadly, he died of wounds at the Battle of Buzenval in 1871. He was only 46 years old.
Before his grand ambitions, Lambert faced challenges. He was expelled from the École Polytechnique due to discipline issues. This setback didn’t deter him. He joined the navy and became a hydrography teacher.
Lambert’s interests extended beyond teaching. In 1865, he sailed on a French whaling ship. The captain died and Lambert took command. He explored the Bering Strait. Despite rough seas and undisciplined seamen, he composed a paper. It was about the Laws of solar irradiance.
Lambert presented his polar voyage plans across France. He spoke to 4000 people in Bordeaux. He described how to measure the earth’s flattening at the pole. He also wanted to measure air pressure, magnetism and the northern aurora.
To fund his expedition, Lambert sought 600000 francs. Napoleon III promised 50000 francs. The Corps législatif voted 150000 francs. He bought a ship named the Boréal.
Despite raising nearly 400000 francs, war intervened. Lambert’s dream was never realized. He died during the Franco-Prussian War. He was mortally wounded in Buzenval Park.
Gustave Lambert’s funeral was held on January 30 1871. He was buried at Père Lachaise Cemetery. A bronze bust marked his tomb. Later, his body was moved to a plot provided by Paris. A monument was erected in his honor in 1924.
Rue Gustave Lambert serves as a lasting reminder. It honors a man who dared to dream of reaching the North Pole. He was a teacher, navigator and scientist.