Admiral Pelham Aldrich (8 December 1844 – 12 November 1930) was a distinguished Royal Navy officer and renowned explorer. He began his naval career as a Naval Cadet in 1859, subsequently rising through the ranks to become Admiral Superintendent of Portsmouth Docks. Aldrich's exceptional contributions to oceanography and exploration are exemplified by his participation in the four-year-long Challenger expedition of 1872–76, during which numerous groundbreaking discoveries were made. Notably, he commanded the Western Sledge Party to Ellesmere Island, and Cape Aldrich, the most northerly point of North America, was named in his honor. Throughout his career, Aldrich led surveying expeditions to various regions, including China, the Mediterranean, the Cape of Good Hope, and Australia, leaving an indelible mark on the scientific community. Additionally, his valuable assistance to Robert Scott's expedition led to the naming of Mount Aldrich in Antarctica. Acknowledged for his exceptional service, Aldrich received numerous accolades, including being appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order by King Edward VII. Following his retirement from the Navy, he resided in Great Bealings, Suffolk, where he passed away in 1930. Aldrich's enduring legacy continues to inspire and influence the fields of exploration and oceanographic research.

Pelham Horton Box (1898-1937) was a British historian renowned for his influential work, "The Origins of the Paraguayan War" (1930). Box, described as a Trotskyist with a sense of humor, conducted a comprehensive investigation to delve into the causes of the deadliest war in South American history. His book, while not explicitly Marxist, scrutinized Paraguay's authoritarian ruler Francisco Solano López, attributing the war's origins to a complex web of antecedent causes rather than solely blaming López. Box's academic journey began at Merchant Taylors' School and King's College London, followed by postgraduate studies at Christ Church, Oxford. He later held lecturerships at the University of Bristol, Birkbeck College, and King's College London, showcasing a deep passion for historical research and education. Box's colleagues remembered him as a brilliant conversationalist with Trotskyist views, a keen sense of humor, and a deep admiration for influential thinkers such as Lenin, Trotsky, and the Marquis de Sade. His untimely death at the age of 39 marked a loss to the field of Latin American studies. Despite his brief life, Box left an indelible mark on historical scholarship and the exploration of South American history.

Pelham is an English surname associated with various notable individuals across different fields. From British aristocratic Whig politicians like Thomas Pelham, 1st Baron Pelham, and his descendants, to American artistic figures such as Peter Pelham, an artist, and Peter Pelham, a composer, the surname has left a mark in history. Other significant figures bearing the Pelham name include Charles Pelham, a U.S. Representative, Moses Pelham, a German rapper and musician, and fictional character Bertie Pelham from the television drama Downton Abbey. On the other hand, the first name Pelham has been linked to renowned personalities like Pelham Horton Box, a British historian, and Sir Pelham Warner, an English test cricketer. With a diverse range of individuals associated with the name, Pelham has made an impact in various spheres, from politics and art to literature and sports.