CANADA HISTORY

David Thompson

David Thompson’s life began in humble obscurity, born in 1770 in London, England, into a world that offered few opportunities for those of his station. His father, a poor clothier, passed away when David was only two years old, leaving his mother to navigate the harsh realities of life in 18th-century London. Faced with limited means, she sought help from a charity school affiliated with Westminster Abbey, known as the "Grey Coat" school. It was a place that molded boys for service in the Royal Navy or other ventures tied to the British Empire’s vast reach. In this school, young David received an education that was both rigorous and focused on practical skills necessary for navigation and exploration. He studied geography, navigation, astronomy, algebra, and trigonometry—disciplines that would form the bedrock of his future endeavors.

It was here that the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC), ever in need of fresh recruits to manage its sprawling fur trade empire in the remote wilderness of North America, sought out apprentices. In 1784, at the age of 14, David Thompson was one of four boys selected from the Grey Coat school to be sent across the Atlantic. He boarded the Prince Rupert and set sail for Hudson Bay, the first step in what would become one of the most remarkable careers of exploration and surveying in North American history.

Upon his arrival at Churchill on Hudson Bay, Thompson was transferred to York Factory, a remote trading post that served as a gateway to the vast interior of what is now Canada. Here, Thompson began his apprenticeship with the Hudson’s Bay Company. In 1786, his journey into the wilderness truly began when he was sent inland to Manchester House on the North Saskatchewan River. The fur trade was not just a matter of commerce; it was a way of life that required survival skills, an understanding of Indigenous cultures, and an intimate knowledge of the land. Thompson spent the winter at Manchester House, learning these lessons through experience, and the following summer he traveled south to the Bow River, near present-day Calgary. There, he wintered with local Indigenous groups, forging relationships that would serve him well throughout his career.

In 1788, Thompson’s journey took an unfortunate turn. As he was returning to Manchester House in the spring, just a mile from his destination, he suffered a severe accident—breaking his leg in a fall. The injury was serious, and the isolation of the fur trading posts meant that recovery would be long and painful. Thompson spent nearly a year convalescing, and though he eventually recovered, he would walk with a slight limp for the rest of his life. It was a permanent reminder of the dangers that came with traversing the untamed wilderness.

While his physical movement was temporarily limited, Thompson’s intellectual pursuits flourished. In October 1789, Philip Turnor, the Hudson’s Bay Company’s official surveyor, recognized Thompson’s potential and invited him to join his class on surveying. It was a momentous opportunity, and Thompson excelled in the study of surveying and astronomy, quickly mastering the instruments and techniques of the trade. However, during this same winter, Thompson suffered another setback: he lost the sight in one eye, likely from observing the sun without proper protection during his astronomical work. Despite this, Thompson’s determination never wavered.

By the spring of 1790, Thompson was ready to put his new skills to the test. Sent back to York Factory, he was entrusted with the task of using Turnor’s instruments to survey the route. His apprenticeship was coming to an end, and instead of the traditional reward—a new suit of clothes—Thompson requested something far more valuable to him: surveying instruments. Armed with a sextant and an artificial horizon, he embarked on a new assignment to chart a more efficient route to the Athabasca country along the Churchill River.

Yet the path of exploration was fraught with obstacles. Thompson’s watches, essential for accurate surveying, failed him, forcing him to return to York Factory the following spring. Undeterred, he set out again, this time carrying fur trading goods for a new post. His reputation as a skilled surveyor was growing, and by 1795 he had returned with furs from his expedition, only to leave once more on July 18, his sights set on further uncharted territories.

Thompson’s scientific ambitions, however, were often at odds with the commercial demands of the fur trade. The Hudson’s Bay Company, like any business, prioritized profits, and Thompson was continually pressured to focus on increasing the volume of furs rather than indulging his passion for exploration and surveying. In 1797, after years of internal conflict over this issue, Thompson made a bold decision: he left the Hudson’s Bay Company, defecting to its archrival, the North West Company. It was a daring move that would allow him to fully embrace the life of an explorer, free from the commercial constraints of the fur trade.

His departure from the HBC marked the beginning of a new chapter in Thompson’s life. He wasted no time in setting out to explore. His first destination was Reindeer Lake, where he checked in with Alexander Fraser, a prominent figure in the North West Company. From there, Thompson embarked on a series of expeditions that would see him mapping vast stretches of the prairies and the northern United States. He traveled along the Missouri River, returning to the source of the Souris River by the start of 1799. It was during these years of constant exploration that Thompson met Charlotte Small, the Métis daughter of a North West Company trader. They married in June 1799, beginning a partnership that would endure for more than fifty years and produce thirteen children.

By 1800, Thompson’s ambitions were drawing him westward. He arrived at Rocky Mountain House, preparing for what would be one of the greatest challenges of his career: crossing the imposing barrier of the Rocky Mountains. In October of that year, he followed the Bow River deep into the mountains, attempting to find a pass that would lead him into the vast territory of present-day British Columbia. The Rockies, however, proved formidable. Despite several attempts, including a foray up the Saskatchewan River in 1801, Thompson was forced to turn back, thwarted by the treacherous terrain and harsh conditions.

For the next several years, Thompson’s work took him back to Lake Superior and then along the upper reaches of the Saskatchewan River. He remained in the region, trading and surveying, until 1804. During this time, he continued to refine his skills as a cartographer, drawing ever more detailed maps of the territories he explored. In July 1805, at Cumberland House, Thompson learned of a major development: the North West Company had merged with Alexander Mackenzie’s rival company. This merger strengthened the North West Company’s position in the fur trade and provided Thompson with new opportunities for exploration.

In May 1807, Thompson made his most determined attempt to cross the Rockies, and this time, he succeeded. He discovered a pass through the mountains that would later be known as Howse Pass, leading him to the Columbia River. This was a monumental achievement, opening up a route to the Pacific Northwest. Over the next few years, Thompson continued to explore the Columbia River basin, venturing as far south as present-day Montana. In 1809, he wintered near modern-day Thompson Falls, Montana, cementing his legacy as one of the foremost explorers of the western United States and Canada.

In 1815, Thompson, now in his mid-40s, settled in Williamstown, Ontario, where he turned his attention to organizing his vast collection of maps and journals. Over the next twenty years, he meticulously documented his travels, producing some of the most detailed and accurate maps of North America ever created. Yet, despite his unparalleled contributions to the exploration of the continent, Thompson’s later years were marked by financial hardship. His surveying work went largely uncompensated, and by 1833 he was bankrupt, relying on the possibility of government payments that never materialized.

Thompson’s eyesight deteriorated rapidly in his later years, and by 1846 he was almost completely blind. In the final years of his life, he began to write his narrative, recounting the incredible story of his explorations. However, he was forced to sell most of his remaining possessions to survive. In 1857, at the age of 86, David Thompson passed away, followed by his beloved wife, Charlotte, just three months later.

Though he died in relative obscurity, Thompson’s legacy as perhaps North America’s greatest surveyor and explorer is undeniable. His maps, which covered more than 1.9 million square miles, laid the foundation for much of the continent’s future development. His dedication to scientific accuracy, his deep respect for the indigenous peoples he encountered, and his unrelenting spirit of adventure place him among the greatest figures in the history of exploration.