- Martin Frobisher: Frobisher was an English explorer who made three attempts to find the Northwest Passage between 1576 and 1578. Although he did not succeed, he became known for his exploration of Arctic waters and his discovery of what is now known as Frobisher Bay.
- John Davis: Davis was an English navigator and explorer who made two voyages to the Northwest Passage in 1585 and 1587. He reached as far as Cumberland Sound in what is now Canada, but was unable to find a way through the ice.
- William Baffin: Baffin was an English explorer and navigator who made two expeditions to the Northwest Passage in 1615 and 1616. He reached as far as Lancaster Sound, but also could not find a route through the ice. He made significant observations and charts of the Arctic region, which were valuable contributions to later exploration.
- Henry Hudson: Hudson was an English explorer who sailed for both England and the Dutch. In 1610, he embarked on a voyage to find the Northwest Passage, but became icebound in Hudson Bay and spent eight months there over the winter before succumbing to a mutiny. His exploration led to the discovery of Hudson Bay.
- James Clark Ross: Ross was a British naval officer and explorer who made three voyages to the Arctic between 1818 and 1833. He reached farther into the Arctic region than any previous explorer, but also failed to find a way through the ice.
- Roald Amundsen: Amundsen was a Norwegian explorer who successfully became the first person to complete the Northwest Passage in 1903-1906. He sailed through the Northwest Passage in a small wooden sloop named the Gjøa, taking three years to traverse the entire route. His expedition made important scientific observations and contributed significantly to Arctic exploration.
These are just some of the key people involved in the exploration and discovery of the Northwest Passage. Other notable figures include Vitus Bering, Samuel Hearne, John Franklin, and others who contributed to the understanding of the Arctic region and the search for the passage over several centuries.