Palmer, Nathaniel Brown

Palmer, Nathaniel Brown, 1799–1877, American sea captain and antarctic explorer, b. Stonington, Conn. While on a whaling voyage (1820–21) in the South Shetlands, he commanded the Hero on an exploring trip to the south and came back with a report that he had sighted land. Hence the name Palmer Land for the peninsula later named Graham Land by the British and known as Palmer Peninsula, Graham Land, or Graham Coast. On this expedition Palmer also discovered the South Orkney Islands. He was well known as a commander and designer of clipper ships.

---

Palmer, Nathaniel Brown “Captain Nat” (1799–1877) explorer, sea captain; born in Stonington, Conn. He went to sea at age 14 and in 1820 was probably the first to discover the Antarctic Peninsula, long known as Palmer Land. He became a packet captain and commander of clipper ships (1833–50). He was one of the first members of the New York Yacht Club (1845) and he owned 17 yachts.