George Vancouver
Vancouver, George (1758?–1798), an English navigator and explorer. He surveyed the northwest coast of North America, and his name was given to Vancouver Island and to the cities of Vancouver, British Columbia, and Vancouver, Washington.
Vancouver joined the navy in 1771 and sailed on the second and third voyages of Captain James Cook (1772–75 and 1776–80). In 1791 Vancouver was sent by the British government to survey territory at Nootka Sound on Vancouver Island. For three years he explored and surveyed the Pacific coast from central California to Cook Inlet in Alaska. He also sailed to Australia, New Zealand, and the Hawaiian Islands. His account of his voyages from 1790 to 1795 was published after his death.