An Undisputed Claim'. The American, Robert Edwin Peary (1856-1920), claimed he had reached the North Pole in 1909 at his third attempt, and his claim is generally accepted. Frederick Albert Cook (1865-1940), also an American, claimed he had reached it in 1908. Cartoon by Bernard Partridge (1861-1945) from "Punch" (London, 15 September 1909). (Photo by: Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images)