Sir James Clark Ross

Polar explorer, born in London, UK. He discovered the north magnetic pole in 1831, then commanded an expedition to the Antarctic seas (1839–43), where the Ross Barrier, Sea, and Island are named after him. He was knighted in 1843.

Sir James Clark Ross (April 15, 1800 – April 3, 1862), was a British naval officer and explorer. He explored the Arctic with his uncle Sir John Ross and Sir William Parry, and later led his own expedition to Antarctica.

Ross was born in London. He entered the navy in 1812 under John Ross, whom he accompanied on his first Arctic voyage in search of a Northwest Passage in 1818.

In 1834 Ross was promoted to captain, and from 1835 to 1838 he was employed on the magnetic survey of Great Britain. In 1841, he discovered the Ross Sea, Victoria Land, and the volcanoes Mount Erebus and Mount Terror. The Victoria Barrier later gained the name "Ross Ice Shelf" in his honour.

On his return Ross was knighted, and was nominated to the French order of the Legion d'Honneur.

A blue plaque marks Ross's home in Blackheath, London.

Homage

James Clark Ross is the name of a British Antarctic Survey ship.

Ross crater on the Moon is jointly named for him and Frank Elmore Ross.