GRINNELL, HENRY, 1799-1874, brother of Moses H., and a partner in the great commercial house of Grinnell, Minturn &.Co., New York. Having amassed a consider able fortune by his skill and success as a merchant, Mr. Grinnell devoted the latter part of his life to the extension of geographical knowledge, mainly in connection with the arctic regions. In 1850 he undertook the expense of fitting out an expedition in search of information concerning the ill-fated Franklin and Crozier expedition of 1845. The expedition comprised two vessels, and was commanded by lieut. Dc Haven, U.S.N. Unsuccessful in the immediate object of their search, the explorers were fortunate enough to make important additions to existing geographical knowledge of the polar regions. They discovered the extensive tract of land divided by Smith's Sound from Greenland, and named "Grinnell Land" after the enterprising and munificent New York merchant. This discovery brought about a sharp controversy with English geographers and explorers as to priority, which was finally concluded in favor of the American expedition, and the name "Grinnell Land" affixed permanently in place of that of " Prince Albert Land," which had been given it by the British. In 1853 Mr.
Grinnell, with the aid of Mr. George Peabody, fitted out for a second expedition, the brig Adcance commanded by Dr. Elisha Kent Kane, who had sailed as surgeon and naturalist with De Haven. This expedition doubtless accomplished more than any which had preceded it, having first definite evidence of the existence of an open polar sea, and defined the coastline, and explored the interior of hitherto unknown lands. See KANE, E. K. Mr. Grinnell was the first president of the American geographical society, and his name and services are held in high, respect both •in America and England, and in the latter country, his liberal example induced such energy and enter prise as eventually resulted in clearing up the long mooted question of the fate of the Franklin expedition.