Reynolds Peak is a prominent peak (785 m) rising 6 nautical miles (11 km) northwest of Eld Peak

Eld Peak

Eld Peak is a prominent peak rising 6 nautical miles southeast of Reynolds Peak on the west side of Matusevich Glacier. Two conical peaks were sighted in the area from the Peacock on January 16, 1840 by Passed Midshipmen Henry Eld and William Reynolds of the United States Exploring Expedition...

 on the west side of Matusevich Glacier

Matusevich Glacier

The Matusevich Glacier flows toward the coast of East Antarctica, pushing through a channel between the Lazarev Mountains and the north-western tip of the Wilson Hills. Constrained by surrounding rocks, the river of ice holds together. But stresses resulting from the glacier’s movement make deep...

. Two conical peaks were sighted in the area from the Peacock on January 16, 1840 by Passed Midshipmen William Reynolds and Henry Eld

Henry Eld

Henry Eld was born in Cedar Hill, New Haven, Connecticut, on June 2, 1814, and lived in the area now known as View Street, but when it started becoming more populated he removed his house and relocated. He was a Lieutenant in the U.S...

 of the United States Exploring Expedition

United States Exploring Expedition

The United States Exploring Expedition was an exploring and surveying expedition of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding lands conducted by the United States from 1838 to 1842. The original appointed commanding officer was Commodore Thomas ap Catesby Jones. The voyage was authorized by Congress in...

 (1838-42). The northwestern peak was named for Reynolds by USEE leader Lieutenant Charles Wilkes

Charles Wilkes

Charles Wilkes was an American naval officer and explorer. He led the United States Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842 and commanded the ship in the Trent Affair during the American Civil War...

. In 1959 Phillip Law

Phillip Law

Phillip Garth Law AC, CBE, FAA was an Australian scientist and explorer who served as director of Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions from 1949 to 1966.-Early life:...

 of ANARE (Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions

Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions

The Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions is the historical name for the Australian Antarctic Program administered for Australia by the Australian Antarctic Division .-The ANARE Name:...

) made investigations of features in this area. Reference to Wilkes' narrative showed that the recorded descriptions of the peaks seen by Reynolds and Eld to be in accord with photographs of the peaks on the west side of Matusevich Glacier. The peak described was selected by Law to commemorate Wilkes' naming.