BACK, Sir George, explorer, born in Stockport, England, 6 November 1796; died in London, 23 June 1878. He entered the British navy in 1808, and in 1817 accompanied the Buchan expedition to Spitz-bergen. In 1819 he accompanied Sir John Franklin's expedition to the Arctic regions, and again in 1825. In 1833 he commanded a search party sent out for Sir John Ross, then in the polar seas, and in 1836 he made his final voyage to the north in command of the " Terror." He showed great sagacity in his management, and the ultimate return of the first two expeditions was credited to the ability with which he directed the forces under his charge. He received a gold medal from the geographical society in 1837, and two years later was knighted. He was made rear admiral in 1857, and admiral in 1867. He is the author of a " Narrative of the Arctic Land Expedition," etc. (London.1836), and of a " Narrative of the Expedition in H. M. Ship ' Terror'" (1838).