Sir Martin Frobisher ( c. 1535 or 1539 -- 15 November 1594 ) was an English seaman and privateer ( licenced pirate ) who made three voyages to the New World to look for the Northwest Passage .
Sir Martin Frobisher ( 1535 or 1539 -- 15 November 1594 ) was an English seaman who made three voyages to the New World to look for the Northwest Passage .