Frederick William Beechey, an English navigator, born in London in February, 1796, died there, Nov. 29, 1856. He was a son of Sir William Beechey, the painter. He entered the navy as a volunteer at the age of 10, and saw a great deal of service (including the contest at New Orleans) during the 12 years following, and in 1815 was made lieutenant. In 1818 he sailed in the Trent, under Franklin, on his first voyage of arctic discovery, acting as artist to the expedition, and in 1819 he was lieutenant of the Hecla in Parry's first arctic voyage. In 1821 he was commissioned (with his brother H. W. Beechey) to make a survey of the N. coast of Africa, from Tripoli to Derne. He was raised to the rank of commander, and sent out in 1825 in the Blossom on another arctic expedition, by way of Cape Horn, to act in concert with Franklin and Parry. Having passed Behring strait, he reached in August, 1826, a point N. of Icy cape, and went in boats to lat. 71° 23' 31" N. and lon. 156° 21' 30" W., only 146 m. from the extreme point simultaneously reached by Franklin. As they were not aware of each other's position, neither advanced.

Commander Beechey subsequently discovered, in 1827 (in which year he was made post captain), two secure harbors S. E. of Cape Prince of Wales, and near to Behring strait, which he named Port Clarence and Grantley harbor. He returned to England after an absence of nearly three years. Between 1829 and 1839 he was employed in making surveys of the coasts of South America and Ireland, and in 1854 he was appointed rear admiral of the blue.