John Rae was a Scottish explorer and physician who made significant contributions to the exploration of the Arctic regions of Canada. He was born in Orkney, Scotland in 1813 and was the son of a merchant and a schoolteacher. He was educated at the University of Edinburgh and the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh.
Rae's interest in exploration began when he was a young man. He was inspired by the stories of the Arctic explorers of the time, such as Sir John Franklin and Sir William Parry. He was determined to follow in their footsteps and explore the Arctic regions of Canada. In 1836, he joined the Hudson's Bay Company as a medical officer and was sent to the Red River Settlement in Manitoba.
Rae's first Arctic expedition was in 1846, when he was sent to explore the Boothia Peninsula. He was the first European to reach the northernmost point of the continent. During this expedition, he discovered the Boothia Felix, a large island in the Arctic Ocean. He also mapped the coastline of the Arctic Ocean and discovered the Rae Strait, which separates the mainland of Canada from the Arctic islands.
Rae's next expedition was in 1848, when he was sent to search for the lost Franklin Expedition. He was able to locate the remains of the expedition and was the first to report the fate of the crew. He also discovered the Northwest Passage, a sea route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Rae's final expedition was in 1854, when he was sent to explore the Arctic regions of Canada. He was able to map the coastline of the Arctic Ocean and discovered the Rae Strait, which separates the mainland of Canada from the Arctic islands. He also discovered the Boothia Felix, a large island in the Arctic Ocean.
Rae's explorations and discoveries made him a famous explorer and he was awarded the Founder's Medal of the Royal Geographical Society in 1855. He was also knighted by Queen Victoria in 1856.
Rae died in 1893 and is remembered as one of the greatest Arctic explorers of all time. His explorations and discoveries helped to open up the Arctic regions of Canada to further exploration and development. He is remembered for his courage and determination in the face of extreme danger and hardship. His legacy lives on in the many places that bear his name, such as the Rae Strait, the Boothia Felix, and the Northwest Passage.