The explorer who is often credited as the first to reach the North Pole is Robert Peary. He claimed to have reached the pole on April 6, 1909, during a treacherous expedition that took him and his team, including Matthew Henson, through extreme Arctic conditions. Despite the controversy surrounding the exactness of his claim and the debate over the integrity of his navigation techniques, Peary’s journey represented a significant achievement in the race for Arctic exploration. His expeditions contributed to further interest in polar exploration, paving the way for future research in the region.