John Ross (1777–1856)

Naval officer and Arctic explorer. Joined the Navy in 1786. Entered the service of the East India Company in 1794. Rejoined the Navy as a midshipman in 1799; commander, 1812. Leader of the expeditions in search of the north-west passage in 1818 and 1829–33. Consul in Stockholm, 1839–46. Led a private expedition to search for John Franklin (ODNB), 1850–1. Knighted 1834.