ELLIS, Henry, explorer, born in England in 1721 ; died 21 January 1806. He was educated to the law at the Temple, London. In May 1746, he went out as agent of a company for the discovery of a northwest passage. After extinguishing with difficulty a fire in his ship, he sailed to Greenland, where he exchanged commodities with the Esquimaux, 8 July then proceeded to Fort Nelson, and wintered in Hayes River. He renewed his efforts in June. 1747, without success, and returned to England; where he arrived on 14 October Ellis was rewarded for his services by being made lieutenant governor of Georgia, 15 August 1756.

He arrived at Savannah on 16 February 1757, and on 17 May 1758, was made royal governor. His services to the colony were great in securing the goodwill of the Creeks and in a wise and able administration, and he was highly esteemed; but the climate was injurious to his health, and he left on 2 November 1760. After his return to England his knowledge of American affairs were called into requisition for developing the plan for taxing the colonies, and in return for this service he was rewarded with sinecure offices. He was governor of Nova Scotia in 1761'4. He afterward resided in Italy, principally occupied in scientific researches. He published "Voyage made to Hudson's Bay in 1746'7, by the 'Dobbs Galley' and 'The California,' to discover a Northwest Passage," which contains important facts and remarks relating to Hudson bay (1748); "Considerations relating to the Northwest Passage" (London, 1750); and valuable papers on "Dr. Hale's Ventilators" and the "Heat of the Weather in Georgia" in the "Philosophical Transactions" for 1751 and 1758.