George Simpson (administrator)

Sir George Simpson ( * 1786 or 1787 in Loch Broom, Scotland, † September 7, 1860 in Montreal ) was governor of Rupert's Land to the Hudson 's Bay Company in Canada 1821 to 1856 he was responsible for the reorganization of the entire fur trade in British. - North America (now Canada ) after the merger of the HBC with the North West Company.

George Simpson grew up in Dingwall, Ross -shire, Scotland, and was the only son of Sir George Simpson, a writer. He was educated by his father, his grandmother Isobel Mackenzie and his two aunts Jean and Mary Mackenzie. 1808, when he was about sixteen years old, he went to London, where he received his uncle Geddes Mackenzie Simpson an apprenticeship in the trade house Graham and Simpson. His business skills impressed the partners of this trading house, Andrew Colvielle, which also had a large influence in the Hudson 's Bay Company ( HBC). Colville Simpson encouraged to apply to the London office of the HBC. 1821 Simpson was the head of the Northern Department of the HBC. Simpson was also responsible for the merger of the HBC with the North West Company in 1821.

Simpson refused to conduct the business activities only from London, but stayed on in Montreal and the Red River Settlement. Since he was very willing to travel, he also visited outpost of the fur trade in North America. He was notorious for the high cruising speed with which he traveled between the individual branches back and forth.

In recognition of his services within the HBC Simpson was raised in 1841 by Queen Victoria to knighthood. He advocated for the promotion of the arts and promoted inter alia the Canadian painter Paul Kane, who held in his sketches and oil paintings the lives of Indians and Métis in western Canada.

Simpson died in 1860 in Montreal and is buried there in the cemetery of Mont- Royal.

Credentials

• Merchant
• Canadian
• Born in the 18th century
• Died in 1860
• Man