Biographies

[Alastair]

Came across 3 men that achieved amazing things for Canada. This was in part due to watching Ray Means series on Wilderness Canada.

See Samuel Hearne who opened up the North West at http://www.electriccanadian.com/makers/hearne.htm

See Dr John Rae who completed the discovery of the North West Passage at http://www.electriccanadian.com/makers/john_rae.htm

See David Thompson who contributed most to the charting of the west at http://www.electriccanadian.com/make...pson_david.htm

And I discovered them by watching these video at http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...wilderness.htm

Alastair

[sandyc]

Re: Biographies

John Rae has been poorly served by history because as we know history is written by 'the winners'. Victorian society and Franklin's wife put paid to any recognition in his lifetime (though he did receive the 'bounty') for making the final discovery of the North West Passage.
He is also remembered by the Northern Peoples as a healer and there is a community to the north of Yellowknife named for him. Although nowadays it tends to be known by its local name.
He is remembered for making a trek of almost 1000 miles to help a native person who was ill.
He is buried in Orkney, the land of his birth.
Sandy

[FriedaKateM]

Re: Biographies

HI, Alastair...Just by chance, I am now reading a very good book called ACROSS THE GREAT DIVIDE, Robert Stuart & the Discovery of the Oregon Trail, by Laton McCartney. He mentions that in the group of explorers/traders coming via the LAND route out to the mouth of the Columbia River, they have a wonderful geographer, named David Thompson. The focus is on the setting up of the Astorians' fur trading post there. And mentions the Tonquin, a ship which carried part of the group coming around the Horn & up the west coast. And their travails!) Quite interesting. The writer's ancestor, was Robert Stuart, which I suppose caused him to do the research. Many details with the Clatsops, & Chinook Indians. This is based 6 years after Lewis & Clark's exploration. (I also have remembered in your posted pictures, that the photographer was David Thompson.) All this is great stuff. Thanks, Joan

[Hugh]

Re: Biographies

The Thompson River in B.C. was one of his discoveries.

Hugh

[Alastair]

Re: Biographies

It was David Thomson's map making skills that established the boundary between Canada and the USA. Apparently his skills were so well considered that the USA just accepted his figures. The Lewis & Clarke expedition also made use of his maps.

Glad to help make these folk better known as they surely deserve it.

Alastair