ONE was the extraordinary polar explorer whose heroism and clear-thinking on the ice was in sharp contrast to his spendthrift, feckless ways at home.
The other was a hugely wealthy Hullindustrialist whose interests included the paint manufacturer Blundell Spence & Co.
Although they might seem contrasting characters, the lives of Ernest Shackleton and Llewellyn Longstaff were to become intertwined.
It was Longstaff's donation – an amount equivalent to some £3m today – which ensured the construction of the Royal Research Ship (RRS) Discovery, which set sail for the Antarctic in 1901.
And it was Longstaff's personal endorsement of Shackleton, a man who seemed to both inspire and infuriate, that ensured the young explorer was accepted for the trip.
The contrast between these characters is touched upon in a new biography of Shackleton, who was a key part of three British expeditions to the Antarctic.
Written by Michael Smith, a Sussex-based historian, it is the first biography of the explorer in 30 years.
Mr Smith said: "People will say there have been other books about Shackleton's explorations – but there has not been a comprehensive biography of him in that time.
"There's a saying that the stories we think we know best are the ones we do not.
"That's true of Shackleton, I think.
"There were, in effect, two Shackletons – the Shackleton at home in civvy street who was a complete wastrel who, despite having a long-suffering wife, had a string of affairs. He was hopeless with money and gave most of it to charity, but he wouldn't pay wages or bills.
"It was always said he couldn't spot a spiv in a suit, so he was a hopeless businessman.
"But he was a completely different character on the ice.
"He was a great leader, who could pick out incredible characters and could make life and death decisions."
It might have been, says Mr Smith, that Longstaff – a Victorian philanthropist fascinated with science and exploration – saw qualities in Shackleton that he would have liked to have had himself. Mr Smith said: "I think he probably did live vicariously through Shackleton. At that stage, Longstaff was in his late 50s and a man of industry and responsibility.
"He saw this maverick figure and I would not mind betting that he wished he could have joined him."
There was also something of the enterprising spirt in Longstaff, Mr Smith said.
"He was well ahead of his time," he said. "His staff in Hull were on profit-sharing schemes – and this was back in the 1880s.
"He was also great traveller.
"If you look at photos he had keen eyes and a closely cropped beard. I think he saw in Shackleton this maverick cavalier character which he wished to be himself."
The fascination seemed to have been mutual.
Shortly after they met for the first time – the introduction came through Longstaff's son, Lieutenant Cedric Longstaff – Shackleton found himself "much persuaded" by the older man, Mr Smith said.
Although there is no direct evidence that he encouraged him, Shackleton followed Longstaff's lead and became a Freemason.
It was Longstaff's impact on Shackleton's career, though, which was key.
The planned Discovery expedition, which was led by the British naval officer Robert Falcon Scott – known as "Scott of the Antarctic" – was in need of financial help.
Initiated by Sir Clements Markham, president of the Royal Geographical Society, the project needed funds to match the money pledged by the Government.
"Shackleton only became a great explorer because of the intervention of Longstaff, who gave a quarter of the money needed to finance the expedition," said Mr Smith.
"When they were looking to fund the expedition he gave them £25,000 out of his own pocket.
"And, when they ran out of cash halfway through, he gave them more – in all, it was an amount equivalent to about £3m today.
"He also pressured the people running it to let Shackleton on board.
"He was the trigger for Shackleton to become one of the greatest explorers in history.
"The role of Longstaff has been completely overlooked in polar history.
"It should not be underestimated what an influential figure he was, although he did not ask for anything in return.
"He has ended up this shadowy, forgotten figure."
The Discovery expedition was eventually cut short for Shackleton.
Selected to join Scott and scientist Edward Wilson on a trek southwards, Shackleton succumbed to illness and was sent home on the expedition's relief ship, Morning. After this setback he was determined to return to the region.
He first did so as the leader of the Nimrod Expedition, which, in 1909, saw Shackleton and three companions reach within 180km of the South Pole, a then record.
On the Endurance in 1914, Shackleton led an attempt to make the first land crossing of the Antarctic continent, which saw their ship become ice-bound.
He was to lose his life on his fourth expedition, an attempt to circumnavigate the Antarctic continent. On January 5, 1922, Shackleton died of a heart attack off South Georgia.
"He achieved greatness," said Mr Smith. "But he was given his chance by a paint manufacturer from Hull."
• Shackleton By Endurance We Conquer, by Michael Smith, is published by Oneworld Publications on October 2. The hardback book costs £20.
