Simon Fraser

Simon Fraser (1776-1862), Canadian fur trader and explorer. Fraser was born in Bennington, Vermont. Brought to Canada by his mother at an early age, he was educated in the city of Montréal and became an apprentice for the North West Company in 1792. He became a partner in the company in 1802. In 1805 he crossed the Rocky Mountains, and in 1806, with explorer John Stuart, he reached a river, which was later named after him, and a lake, which was later named for Stuart. He established Fort Saint James in 1806 and Fort Fraser and Fort George in 1807.

In 1808 Fraser descended the Fraser River, arriving at its mouth on July 2. He determined that Fraser River was not the Columbia River, as Sir Alexander Mackenzie had mistakenly believed when he traversed its upper course in 1793. In 1817 Fraser was charged with involvement in the murder of Governor Robert Semple during a confrontation at Seven Oaks. He was acquitted and retired from the North West Company in 1820.