Robert Fitzroy

Robert Fitzroy (Public Domain)

Vice-Admiral Robert Fitzroy R.N. (1805-1865)

Robert Fitzroy was born in Ampton, Suffolk into an aristocratic family, and at the age of 12 entered the Royal Naval College in Portsmouth. At the age of 14 he travelled with HMS Owen Glendower to South America and in 1824 was promoted to lieutenant. After the captain of HMS Beagle Pringle Stokes fatally shot himself, Fitzroy was appointed as temporary captain of the Beagle. He went on to publish his theories on metoerology and invented several types of barometer to allow sailors to check a weather forecast before leaving port.

Glossary of Galapagos