Admiral Sir John Ross


1777 - 1856

Sir John Ross
©2022 Gazetteer for Scotland

Sir John Ross

Arctic explorer. Born in Inch (Dumfries and Galloway). He joined the navy at a young age, and served in the Napoleonic wars. In 1818 and 1829, he led Arctic expeditions in search of the North-West Passage. On both he was accompanied by his nephew, Sir James Clark Ross (1800-62), who became a noted Antarctic explorer. The second expedition, funded by distiller Sir Felix Booth, was notable for the discovery of the Boothia Peninsula, the Gulf of Boothia and King William Island. A final expedition in 1850 attempted to determine the fate of Sir John Franklin, who had disappeared with his two ships in 1846.

Ross lived at North West Castle in Stranraer, but died in London and is buried in Kensal Green Cemetery.


Use the tabs on the right of this page to see other parts of this entry arrow

If you have found this information useful please consider making
a donation to help maintain and improve this resource. More info...

By using our site you agree to accept cookies, which help us serve you better