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John Davis was an English navigator and explorer who made significant contributions to the exploration of the Arctic region. He was born in the county of Devon and began his career as a sailor at a young age. Davis was the first navigator to make a successful voyage to the Arctic in search of the Northwest Passage, a sea route that would provide a shorter passage to Asia. He made three such voyages in total, during which he explored the coasts of Greenland and Canada, discovered the Davis Strait, and mapped parts of the Arctic region. Davis was also an inventor and designed new instruments for navigation, including the Davis quadrant, which helped sailors determine latitude. In addition to his exploration work, Davis served as a naval officer and fought against the Spanish Armada. He died during a voyage to the East Indies, but his legacy as an explorer and navigator continues to be celebrated to this day.