Arctic Explorations By Elisha Kent Kane. Elisha Kent Kane (February 28, 1820 - February 16, 1857) was an American explorer, and a medical officer in the United States Navy during the first half of the 19th century. He was a member of two Arctic expeditions to rescue the explorer Sir John Franklin. He was present at the discovery of Franklin's first winter camp, but he did not find out what had happened to the fatal expedition. (wikipedia.org)