Hollow and Habitable Within: Symmes's Theory of Earth's Internal Structure and Polar Geography

Abstract

In 1818, John Cleves Symmes (1780-1829) circulated a flyer announcing his theory of Earth's structure and polar geography. Declaring that Earth is "hollow, and habitable within; containing a number of solid concentric spheres, one within the other, and that it is open at the poles 12 or 16 degrees," Symmes solicited "one hundred brave men" for an expedition north of the 82nd parallel in search of "a warm and rich land, stocked with thrifty vegetables and animals, if not men." So began the history of American polar exploration. Symmes's idea attracted general ridicule, but it also tapped a vein of cultural patriotism, national pride, and expansionist ambition that won him a group of loyal followers. Chief among Symmes's supporters was Jeremiah Reynolds, who played a key role in obtaining congressional funding for the Great American Exploring Expedition of 1838-1842. In this paper, I recount the story of Symmes's theory and trace its influence on the establishment of a wholly American scientific enterprise and American literature and fringe culture.

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