Count Johann Nepomuk Wilczek

Johann (Hans) Nepomuk Wilczek (; 7 December 1837 – 27 January 1922) was an Austrian arctic explorer and patron of the arts. He was the main sponsor of the Austro-Hungarian North Pole Expedition in 1872–74. Life Born in Vienna as the son of Count Stanislaus Joseph von Wilczek (1792-1847) and Baroness Gabriele von Reischach (1802-1890). Being from a well-off noble family, young Hans Wilczek made intensive travels and studied archaeology, art history as well as natural sciences. In 1858, he married Countess Emma Maria Emo-Capodilista (1833–1924), a court lady of Archduchess Sophie. He travelled to Russia in 1863, including Crimea and the Caucasus. Then, in 1866, he enlisted in the Austro-Prussian War as a volunteer. Between 1868 and 1870 he travelled across Africa. From 1872 to 1874, he provided for the S/X Admiral Tegetthoff research vessel and elaborate preparations of the Austro-Hungarian North Pole Expedition, led by Julius Payer and Karl Weyprecht from 1872 to 1874. Of the donors to the expedition, he contributed the largest amount. In 1872, Wilczek himself led a preliminary expedition to Novaya Zemlya in order to set up a depot. For this he chartered the schooner Isbjørn, which had already been employed by Weyprecht and Payer for a reconnaissance trip in 1871, and hired Johan Kjeldsen as captain. Baron Maximilian von Sterneck was in charge of nautical affairs. Professor accompanied them in the capacity of geologist. Wilhelm J. Burger was the expedition's photographer. Leaving Tromsø on 20 June 1872, the Isbjørn sailed first to Spitsbergen, then to Novaya Zemlya. From Matochkin Strait, some excursions were made onto the land. Continuing their journey north, Isbjørn met with Tegetthoff as had been hoped. In a joint effort, the depot was laid on the northern of the . Coal for refueling, 2000 lb (1120 kg) of bread, and 1000 lb (560 kg) of instant pea soup were placed in a crevice sealed with rocks. Having established this precaution for Tegetthoff'''s return from the Arctic, Isbjørn then sailed to the mouth of the Pechora River, where Wilczek and his companions disembarked on 31 August 1872 and returned to Austria on land. In 1873, the crew of the Tegetthoff'' discovered the Franz Josef Land archipelago and named Wilczek Land and Wilczek Island in his honour. In 1872, Wilczek was elected an honorary member of the Austrian Geographical Society. There he promoted the construction of weather stations in the Arctic.