George Fisher (scientist) facts for kids

George Fisher (born July 31, 1794 – died March 14, 1873) was a British scientist. He was also a priest and an explorer. Fisher spent many years studying the Arctic region. He made important observations about the Earth and its magnetic fields.

Early Life and Education

George Fisher was born in Sunbury, England. His father, James Fisher, was a surveyor. When George was 14, he started working as a clerk. This was at the Westminster Fire Insurance Company in 1808.

Later, in 1817, he went to St Catharine's College, Cambridge. This is a famous university in England. He studied there to become a priest and a scientist.

Exploring the Arctic

George Fisher became an astronomer for Arctic expeditions. An astronomer studies stars, planets, and space. He joined two important trips to the Arctic. These trips helped scientists learn more about the Earth.

First Arctic Journey (1818)

In 1818, Fisher joined an expedition led by David Buchan. Fisher was one of two astronomers on this trip. Their ship, HMS Dorothea, aimed to sail across the North Pole. They hoped to reach the Bering Strait. People believed the polar ice might have melted enough for ships to pass.

Fisher brought special tools to measure the Earth's shape. The ships sailed north from Spitsbergen. But they soon got stuck in thick polar ice. The ice trapped them, and they drifted without control. After getting free, they had to return home. This was the last time the Royal Navy tried to sail across the North Pole. Fisher's scientific notes from this trip were very important. He shared them with the Royal Society.

Second Arctic Journey (1821-1823)

The Royal Society then recommended Fisher for another trip. This time, he joined Captain William Parry. Parry was trying to find a "north-west passage." This was a sea route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Arctic.

In April 1821, Fisher's ship, HMS Fury, sailed with HMS Hecla. They explored the Foxe Basin in northern Hudson Bay. Parry successfully sailed through Frozen Strait. They decided to spend the winter at Winter Island.

Fisher set up a special observatory on land. He did many experiments during the cold winter. He tested different compasses in the far north. He also observed stars near the horizon in very cold weather. This helped navigators understand how light bends in the cold air. Fisher also measured the speed of sound. He studied how different metals shrank in low temperatures. He even observed how various chemicals behaved.

The next summer, Parry continued his search but without much luck. During the winter of 1822–23, Fisher again set up his observatory. He kept doing his experiments. In the summer of 1823, Parry gave up on finding a passage through Hudson Bay. They returned home.

Life as a Chaplain and Scientist

George Fisher became a naval chaplain. A chaplain is a priest who serves in the military. From 1827 to 1830, he worked on HMS Spartiate. In 1831, he served on HMS Asia. He continued his scientific work, especially studying magnetism. He made observations in London, Malta, and other ports.

He then worked on HMS Victory from 1832 to 1833. After this, he retired from the Navy. In 1825, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very respected group of scientists. In 1827, he became a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. He received the Arctic Medal in 1857. He was the only chaplain to get this special award.

Later Life and Legacy

Around 1834, George Fisher married Elizabeth Alicia Woosnam. They had two daughters and one son. In the same year, he became the headmaster of the Royal Hospital School at Greenwich.

At the school, he helped plan and build an observatory. He guided this observatory for 13 years. He retired in 1863. George Fisher passed away in Rugby, Warwickshire, in 1873. His work helped us understand more about the Arctic and the Earth.