1800-1862

British Naval Commander

James Clark Ross is remembered for his extensive experience and successes exploring both the Arctic and Antarctic. His most notable achievement was the discovery of the Magnetic North Pole in June 1831. In his time, Ross was recognized as the world's most successful and accomplished Arctic explorer.

Born in London, England, on April 15, 1800, Ross entered the British Navy at the age of 12. He participated in his first Arctic voyage in 1818, serving under his uncle John Ross (1777-1856), who was searching west of Greenland and north of Canada for an Arctic northwest passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Later, between 1819 and 1827, James Ross sailed under British explorer Sir William Edward Parry (1790-1855). In 1823 Ross was promoted to lieutenant and, because of his skills as a naturalist, was elected to the Linnaean Society. In 1827 he was promoted to the rank of commander...