McClure, Sir Robert John Le Mesurier (1807-1873), also spelled M’Clure, was a British explorer who led the first expedition to cross the Northwest Passage. He discovered the route through the Arctic region while on an expedition from 1850 to 1854. McClure was searching for Sir John Franklin, a British explorer who had not returned from a voyage begun in 1845. McClure sailed across the Beaufort Sea and around Banks Island, where his ship became stuck in ice. McClure and his crew almost starved to death, but were rescued in 1853. McClure then covered the rest of the passage, traveling by ship and sled to Baffin Bay. After returning to England in 1854, McClure was knighted and promoted to captain in the British Navy. McClure was born in the town of Wexford, Ireland, on Jan. 28, 1807. He joined the British Navy in 1824. He died on Oct. 17, 1873. See also Northwest Passage .
