Button, Thomas (died 1634)

English navigator who achieved fame when he led an expedition sent to look for the Northwest Passage in 1612. As captain of the Resolution and accompanied by the pinnace Discovery, he explored the west coast of Hudson Bay (where he spent the winter of 1612–13). He was the first European to visit Resolution, Coats, and Mansel islands. His was the first voyage to Hudson Bay after it had been put on the map by Henry Hudson.

He entered the navy in 1589. In the latter part of his career Button was admiral of the king's ships off Ireland, and did much to suppress piracy.