Charles Francis Hall

views updated

Charles Francis Hall

1821-1871

Canadian explorer who conducted three research expeditions to the Arctic. His first two expeditions were in search of survivors and clues from a failed 1845 voyage led by Sir John Franklin. The map of the west coast of Canada's Melville Peninsula, which Hall prepared on his first voyage, was so exact that it was not improved upon until the application of aerial photography. His final adventure, begun in 1871, was to lead a government sponsored United States expedition to the North Pole. He made it to 83°N but died suddenly on the return trip.

More From encyclopedia.com