Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen

Bellingshausen, Fabian Gottlieb von (fäbˈēən gôtˈlēp fôn bĕlˈĭngzhouˌzən) [key], 1778–1852, Russian explorer, b. Sarema, Estonia. A graduate of the naval academy at Kronstadt, he commanded two ships on an extended voyage (1819–21) during which he circumnavigated Antarctica and named the Alexander I, Peter I, and Traversay islands. Before returning to Kronstadt, he explored Fiji and the Society Islands.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.