Polar explorer, born in Ilulissat/ Jakobshavn in Greenland. His mother was greenlandic. He grew up in Greenland, where he learned the arts kayaking and riding dogsledge.

In 1902-1904 he participated with on an expedition with experienced people like Jørgen Brønlund, Harald Moltke and Mylius-Erichssen. In 1910 he and Peter Freuchen established a tradestation in Thule. He had several expeditions during the years between 1912 - 1919

From 1921 - 1924 he went on his famous "Great Sledge Journey" to collect and describe Inuit songs and legends. For that effort he was appointed doctor of honour at the University of Copenhagen. He wrote several books about Greenland, Inuit and Arctis in the years between 1915 and 1935.

Knud Rasmussen stands as a fantastic ideal among the youth in Greenland.