Vitus Bering
1681–1741 · Danish (served Russia) · Age of Enlightenment
Known for: Proved Asia and North America are separate continents—discovered Alaska and the strait, sea, and island that bear his name
Bering was a Danish navigator in the Russian Navy commissioned by Peter the Great to determine whether Asia and America were connected. His First Kamchatka Expedition sailed through the strait between Siberia and Alaska but fog prevented him from seeing America.
His Great Northern Expedition was one of history's largest—over 3,000 people. He reached Alaska in 1741 but died of scurvy on an uninhabited island during the return voyage. The strait, sea, island, and glacier that bear his name memorialize an explorer who answered one of geography's biggest questions.
Browse all 1,000 figures by category
Enable JavaScript to view the full "if they lived today" Q&A and personality profile.