The Explorers Podcast HMS Investigator and the Northwest Passage – Part 5 – A conversation with Hubert Sagnières
Oct 23, 2025
In a captivating conversation, Hubert Sagnières, an author and explorer renowned for his book 'For Glory, Not Gold,' shares his passion for Arctic exploration. He highlights the allure of the Northwest Passage, influenced by British curiosity and historical figures like John Barrow. Hubert discusses his unique scrapbook-driven book format featuring rare illustrations and Inuit encounters. He reflects on the modern explorer's role in climate reporting and emphasizes the continuous quest for knowledge, drawing inspiration from both historical and contemporary adventurers.
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Origins Of An Explorer
- Hubert Sagnières links childhood travel and a scientific background as the root of his passion for exploration.
- He argues curiosity plus scientific training drives people to explore the unknown.
Why The 19th-Century Arctic Boom Began
- Sagnières traces renewed Arctic exploration to post-Napoleonic Britain and John Barrow's epiphany in 1817.
- He frames the Northwest Passage and the nature of the North Pole as twin mysteries that drove 19th-century expeditions.
Teaching Nets Changed Lives
- Sagnières highlights John Ross teaching Inuit to use nets instead of arrows, which transformed local fishing.
- He uses this story to show practical cultural exchange during Arctic contacts.
