David Thompson: Fur Trader, Explorer, Geographer
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Author Description
Surveyor, fur-trader and explorer, David Thompson was the first European to descend the Columbia River from its source to its mouth. A partner in the North West Company, Thompson explored western Canada exhaustively, and the maps he produced became the basis for many future maps of the region. Thompson first came to Canada in 1784 as a clerk for the Hudson's Bay Company. He spent several years gaining knowledge of the fur trade, making extensive expeditions and learning the ways of the aboriginal peoples. After learning the use of sextant, chronometer, telescope, compass and nautical almanac, surveying became his primary interest. He explored new territory whenever possible, keeping detailed journals of his bearings and weather conditions, and charted all of his journeys.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This biography investigates the life and professional contributions of David Thompson, a pivotal figure in the mapping and commercial development of Western Canada. James K. A. Smith examines Thompson's transition from a clerk for the Hudson's Bay Company to an independent explorer and partner in the North West Company. The text utilizes Thompson's own detailed journals and historical records to reconstruct his methodology and his role in documenting the geography of the Columbia River and surrounding territories. By focusing on his technical proficiency with surveying instruments, the author argues that Thompson's cartographic legacy provided the essential framework for subsequent regional expansion.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Detailed account of the North American fur trade during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
- Technical overview of 18th-century surveying tools including the sextant, chronometer, and nautical almanac.
- Historical documentation of the exploration of the Columbia River and Western Canada.
- Analysis of the interactions and cultural exchanges between European traders and aboriginal peoples.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Historians and scholars recognize this work as a concise and accessible entry point into the life of a significant, yet often overlooked, Canadian explorer. Readers frequently note that the text balances technical surveying details with a clear narrative of the logistical challenges inherent in early North American exploration.
Page Count:
128
Publication Date:
1971-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0195401808
ISBN-13:
9780195401806
History
Biography
Geography
Exploration
Canadian History
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