1867-1925?

British Explorer

Percy Fawcett went to South America to survey the borders of several countries and to search for the legendary City of Gold and other lost cities. He made numerous trips into South America's interior during a two-decade period. In 1925, he set out on what was to be his last expedition with his son and his son's friend. The party was never heard from again.

Fawcett was born in 1867 in Torquay, England. A young man of 19, he joined the British army for what would become a 20-year career in the military. About halfway into his service, he put his army surveying training to work by accepting a position with duties in South America.

During his first trip to South America in 1906-07 to survey the changing boundary between Bolivia and Brazil, he became intrigued with the stories he heard about the lost...