Scott Polar Research Institute
Picture Library
It is now possible to book a study desk to carry out research of the photograph collection. Please contact the Picture Library for further information.
Please do have a look at our extensive online catalogue below, which features many images from the collection.
The SPRI Picture Library houses one of the world's most comprehensive collections of historical photographs of the Polar Regions. It also holds a growing collection of modern photographs taken by scientists and researchers working in the field.
The collection contains stunning images taken from the very early days of exploration to both the Arctic and the Antarctic, particularly those of the expeditions led by Scott and Shackleton. It provides a documentary record of all aspects of life, travel and work in the polar regions, ranging through the fauna and flora, transport, science, scientific stations, glaciology, scenery and ethnography.
Our older Polar Pictures database is also still available, and we are working to merge this into our main catalogue.