1778-1852

Estonian explorer who made a number of discoveries in the Pacific Ocean and may have discovered Antarctica. Commanding an around-the-world voyage of exploration that lasted from 1819-1821, Bellinghausen reached as far south as 70° latitude and was probably the first person to actually sight the Antarctic continent. However, not realizing the significance of this, he is not generally credited with the discovery. The Bellinghausen Sea was named in his honor.