William Dampier | |
|---|---|
| Born | Baptised 5 September 1651 East Coker, Somerset, England |
| Died | March 1715 (aged 64) London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation(s) | Privateer and explorer |
| Known for | Exploring and mapping Australia, Circumnavigation |
William Dampier (baptised 5 September 1651; died March 1715) was the first Englishman to explore parts of Australia. He was the first person to circumnavigate the world three times. On one voyage he rescued Alexander Selkirk, a sailor who may have inspired Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe.