Henry Foster (scientist)
Henry Foster (1796 – February 5 1831) was a British naval officer who took part in several Arctic expeditions made various notable scientific observations.
In his early career, he served aboard the HMS York. Later, he served aboard the HMS Griper as part of the British Naval Scientific Expedition, assisting the astronomer Edward Sabine.
In 1824 as a lieutenant, he joined the Northwest Passage expedition led by William Edward Parry, aboard HMS Hecla. He made various scientific observations in magnetism and astronomy and other fields, for which he shared the Copley Medal in 1827 and received the rank of commander. Later in 1827 he joined the British Naval North Polar Expedition, again under the leadership of Parry.
From 1828 – 1831 he was commander of HMS Chanticleer and led the British Naval Expedition to the South Atlantic including Deception Island. He drowned in the Chagres River in Panama in 1831.