Outstanding English navigator of the XVI century. 
Born in Sandridge, in the Stoke Gabriel parish near Dartmouth in Devonshire. The atmosphere of the port city, its own inclinations quickly attracted him to the maritime activities. The help of kind and skillful mentors, diligence and diligence, the desire for knowledge soon allowed him to become an outstanding navigator, one of the best navigators of his time. 
His first offshore venture took place in 1585, when he attempted to open a new passage past North-West America to East India. 
On June 17 he left Dartmouth on two barges at fifty and thirty five tons in displacement. The expedition was subsidized by Francis Welsingham and several wealthy London merchants. 
July 20, the ships reached the coast of Greenland, completely covered with snow without any signs of forest or grass. The earth seemed completely lifeless, and Davis called it the Land of Desolation. Rounding its southernmost point, they entered the strait, which has since begun to bear his name. They went into it 30–40 leagues, but then, due to the changed wind, were forced to turn back. Davis realized that there is a vast expanse of water north and west of the strait. 
The following year, Davis resumed the implementation of his plan and, once again supported by Welsingham, set sail on four ships. He sent two of them to explore the waters between Greenland and Iceland, and he continued to explore the coasts and bays he had previously seen on the other two. One of the ships with the sick left him, but he continued sailing in a small barge to 66° 33'N and 54° 30'W, from where it had to turn back. 
In 1587, Davis made the third voyage. In past years, he met huge shoals of cod at sea, so this time he sent two vessels to fish, and the third went for research. The fishing ships, contrary to promises, soon left him and returned, and Davis entered the strait and this time managed to reach 73°N. Then he went to the west, reaching the coast of North America, and examined him and the surrounding islands, descending to 52°N. 
Davis was sure of the success of his search for the passage, but the war with Spain that followed soon distracted the country's attention from this object. 
Davis did not remain inactive. In 1591 he was a captain in the unsuccessful sailing of the Cavendish to the southern seas. After returning, Davis made five voyages to East India as a navigator. In the last campaign he died in a desperate skirmish with the Japanese on the coast of Malacca. 
Strait between Greenland and Baffin Land.