After qualifying as a surgeon in Edinburgh, Rae joined the Hudson Bay company and undertook expeditions in northern Canada. Rae was responsible for surveying large sections of arctic coastline and interior and gathered much important scientific data. He was the first explorer to bring back news of the ill-fated voyage of John Franklin, who had set out in 1845 to navigate the Northwest passage. Rae, shown here in dignified academic robes, attributed his own success in artic exploration to following the hunting and survival techniques of the native Inuits.