Ernest Shackleton was a polar explorer who is best known for his 1914-1917 Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. He was an Irish-born British explorer who attempted to become the first person to cross the Antarctic continent. Shackleton's expedition was beset by misfortune and eventually failed, but he and his crew survived and returned home safely. Shackleton's courage and leadership during the expedition earned him lasting fame as an explorer and leader.