Sir John Franklin was a British naval officer and explorer known for his expeditions in the Arctic. Born in 1786, he gained fame for his role in mapping the northern coast of Canada and for his leadership in the search for the Northwest Passage, a sea route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Franklin's most famous expedition took place in 1845 when he set out with two ships, the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror. Unfortunately, the expedition ended in tragedy, as both ships became trapped in ice, leading to the loss of Franklin and his entire crew. Their fate remained a mystery for many years, sparking numerous search missions.