The life of William Scoresby / by R. E. Scoresby-Jackson.

A biography of William Scoresby (1789-1857), whaler, explorer, scientist and clergyman, written by his nephew. Scoresby was the son of whaler William Scoresby. On completing his schooling, he accompanied his father as chief officer on the whaler Resolution and during a voyage with him in 1806 reached the highest northern latitude attained in the eastern hemisphere - a record which stood for 21 years. Attending Edinburgh University, Scoresby studied natural philosophy and chemistry and during a voyage in 1807, he embarked on the study of meterology and the natural history of the polar regions. In 1811 he took over command of the Resolution, continuing his polar studies during his whaling voyages, and in 1822, on his last polar voyage, he surveyed and charted 400 miles of the east coast of Greenland. In 1819 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and in 1824 a Fellow of the Royal Society. An active member of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, much of Scoresby's research focused on terrestrial magnetism. On entering the church following the death of his wife, Scoresby received his Bachelor's Degree in Divinity from Cambridge in 1834. As vicar of Bradford from 1839-1846 Scoresby continued his scientific studies and interest in social conditions. Scoresby married three times and died in Torquay, Devon.