William BaffinDied 23 Jan 1622 (born c. 1584).English explorer who sought the Northwest Passage as a route around the northern coast of North america. In 1615, sailing in the region of Greenland, he explorered what is now known as Baffin Bay. He came within 800 miles of the North Pole, the closest approach made, not improved for two and half centuries afterwards. His voyages were made with scientific care, determining latitudes, and observing tides. With records made of his compass needle, he made the first magnetic chart. He was the first to attempt a determination of longitude by observing the moon. After his Arctic voyages, he was employed by the East India Company, which led to surveying in the regions of the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. It was there that he became involved with a war between the Shah of Persian and the Portuguese, and died in an attack.« |
