Henry Kelsey

Henry Kelsey ( * ca 1667 in Greenwich, † 1724 in Greenwich ) was an English fur trader, sailor and explorer. He has led a national expedition to the interior of Canada on behalf of the Hudson 's Bay Company and played a major role in the development of the Hudson 's Bay Company.

Biography

Kelsey began before he was 20 years old, working for the Hudson 's Bay Company ( HBC).

In the years 1690 to 1691 Kelsey traveled with the Cree Indians and explored areas in today's northern Manitoba from the Hudson Bay to the Saskatchewan River. He was the first European man who traveled the lands of present-day provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan.

He is also the first European to have seen the prairie, the great herds of buffalo, grizzly bears and the many Great Plains tribes.

After years in Canada Kelsey returned in 1722 at the age of 55 years to England. He died two years later and was buried in St Alfege Church, Greenwich. There is also a memorial tablet with his name.

According to Kelsey, a hydroelectric power station on the Nelson River is named, see hydropower plant Kelsey.

• Canada expended 1990 dollar silver coin commemorating the 300th anniversary of his expeditions.