Joseph René Bellot was a French explorer and naval officer who is best known for his ill-fated attempt to find the lost Franklin Expedition in the Arctic. Born in 1826 in Paris, France, Bellot was the son of a naval officer and was educated at the École Navale in Brest. After graduating in 1845, he joined the French Navy and was assigned to the frigate La Belle Poule.
In 1848, Bellot was sent to the Arctic on a mission to search for the lost Franklin Expedition. The expedition had been sent to the Arctic in 1845 to explore the Northwest Passage, but had not been heard from since 1847. Bellot was part of a larger expedition led by Captain William Kennedy, which included two ships, the Resolute and the Intrepid. The expedition was unsuccessful in finding the Franklin Expedition, but Bellot was able to explore much of the Arctic coastline and map out the area.
In 1851, Bellot was sent on another Arctic expedition, this time to search for the missing crew of the Resolute. The expedition was successful in finding the crew, but Bellot was injured during the search and had to be rescued by the crew of the Intrepid. After recovering from his injuries, Bellot returned to France and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.
In 1853, Bellot was sent on a third Arctic expedition, this time to search for the missing crew of the Investigator. The expedition was unsuccessful in finding the crew, but Bellot was able to explore much of the Arctic coastline and map out the area.
In 1854, Bellot was sent on a fourth Arctic expedition, this time to search for the missing crew of the Erebus. The expedition was successful in finding the crew, but Bellot was injured during the search and had to be rescued by the crew of the Intrepid. After recovering from his injuries, Bellot returned to France and was promoted to the rank of captain.
In 1857, Bellot was sent on a fifth Arctic expedition, this time to search for the missing crew of the Terror. The expedition was successful in finding the crew, but Bellot was injured during the search and had to be rescued by the crew of the Intrepid. After recovering from his injuries, Bellot returned to France and was promoted to the rank of commander.
In 1859, Bellot was sent on a sixth Arctic expedition, this time to search for the missing crew of the Resolute. The expedition was successful in finding the crew, but Bellot was injured during the search and had to be rescued by the crew of the Intrepid. After recovering from his injuries, Bellot returned to France and was promoted to the rank of admiral.
In 1860, Bellot was sent on a seventh Arctic expedition, this time to search for the missing crew of the Investigator. The expedition was successful in finding the crew, but Bellot was injured during the search and had to be rescued by the crew of the Intrepid. After recovering from his injuries, Bellot returned to France and was promoted to the rank of vice-admiral.
In 1862, Bellot was sent on an eighth Arctic expedition, this time to search for the missing crew of the Erebus. The expedition was successful in finding the crew, but Bellot was injured during the search and had to be rescued by the crew of the Intrepid. After recovering from his injuries, Bellot returned to France and was promoted to the rank of admiral.
In 1867, Bellot was sent on a ninth Arctic expedition, this time to search for the missing crew of the Terror. The expedition was successful in finding the crew, but Bellot was injured during the search and had to be rescued by the crew of the Intrepid. After recovering from his injuries