Bio

Ciarán Wright Drinnon is a graduate student, historian, and writer from East Tennessee. They specialize primarily in histories of exploration and geography, especially the history of polar exploration across the long 19th century. They are also interested in archival studies, preservation, and digitization. Their graduate capstone paper will take the form of an analysis of recent evidence in the suspicious 1871 death of American explorer Charles Francis Hall, and they are currently working on a biography of Hall's suspected murderer, Emil Bessels.When not writing papers, transcribing primary source documents, or working on one of their many volunteer projects, Ciarán can be found drinking copious amounts of iced coffee, drawing pictures of wildlife, and/or spending time with their partner, Brigid, and their two cats.

Education

MA History, Southern New Hampshire University

2025 - (in progress)

BA Political Science, East Tennessee State University

2015-2019 | Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies minor

Publications

Drinnon, Ciarán Wright. "A game review of The Pale Beyond by Saltstone Studios. Fellow Traveler, 2023, $19.99." Endeavour 50, no. 1 (2026).

Presentations

Drinnon, C. W. “Out of Thin Air: Fata Morgana and Map Manipulation in the North American Arctic, 1818-1918” [Paper presentation]. Society for the History of Discoveries Annual Meeting 2026, St. John's, NL, CA.
Recipient, Dr. Mary Emily Miller Endowment.Drinnon, C. W. “Charles Francis Hall: America's Weirdest Polar Explorer” [Short presentation]. 2025 Shackleton Autumn School, Athy, IE.
Winner, Bob Burton Icebreaker Award.

Projects

The New Polar Times

Founder & Editor-in-Chief | 2024 -

An upcoming hybrid research-and-arts publication geared toward independent and early-career researchers with an interest in the history of the "Heroic Age" of polar exploration. Our first volume is in the works, with an anticipated release in late 2026.

Polar Archival Network Project Group

Volunteer, Design & Outreach | 2025 -

A group of academics and archivists working on a proposal that would establish a global network of archives - physical and digital - across the polar humanities discipline.

Arcana Poli

Co-Founder and Designer | 2025

A wiki project that seeks to establish a jumping-off point for enthusiasts and amateur researchers in polar history, increasing accessibility of information by taking a fandom-inspired approach.

APECS Polar Weeks & Antarctica Day Project Group

Group Member | 2026-

A committee within the Association for Polar Early Career Scientists working to host global online events to showcase the importance of polar regions through diverse voices from polar communities.

Employment information & teaching experience available upon request