Archibald McMurdo


Archibald McMurdo was a British naval officer, after whom Antarctica's McMurdo Sound, McMurdo Station, McMurdo Ice Shelf, McMurdo Dry Valleys and McMurdo–South Pole Highway are named.

Biography

McMurdo joined the Royal Navy on 6 October 1824, at the age of 12. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant in 1836, Commander in 1843, and Captain in 1851. His career included two discovery expeditions aboard HMS Terror, the first to north of Hudson Bay, the second to Antarctica. During the latter, McMurdo Sound was discovered in February 1841 and named.
McMurdo achieved command of HMS Contest in 1846, which was detailed to the coast of west Africa. He retired as a rear-admiral but was promoted in retirement to vice-admiral in 1873.
McMurdo died at Cargenholm, Troqueer Parish, Kirkcudbrightshire on 11 December 1875. His estate was probated in Dumfries 3 February 1876.