Simpson, Thomas National Historic Person
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Thomas Simpson
(© Parks Canada)
Address :
2 Fowler St. (near Anderson), Winnipeg, Manitoba
Recognition Statute:
Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date:
1937-05-20
Life Date:
1808 to 1840
Other Name(s):
-
Simpson, Thomas
(Designation Name)
Importance:
Arctic explorer, charted the Western Arctic Coast (1837-39)
Plaque(s)
Existing plaque: in extension of St. John's Park 2 Folwer St. (near Anderson), Winnipeg, Manitoba
Born in Scotland, Simpson became, in 1929, secretary to Sir George Simpson, Governor of Hudson's Bay Company territories. In 1837, with Peter Warren Dease, he led an expedition down the Mackenzie and along the Arctic coast to Point Barrow and back to winter at Fort Confidence. The party descended the Coppermine in 1838 and again in 1839, exploring the coast between Point Turnagain and the Back estuary. Throughout, Simpson displayed outstanding qualities of leadership, skill, and courage. Having set out from Fort Garry to visit England he died, in what is now Minnesota of a gunshot wound in 1840.
Original Plaque: in extension of St. John's Park 2 Folwer St. (near Anderson), Manitoba
With Peter Warren Dease, 1837-39, Thomas Simpson explored the Arctic coast of America from Sir John Franklin's Return Reef to Point Barrow, the mainland shore from Coronation Gulf to Rae Strait, and the southern side of Victoria Land: an enterprise which he carried through with great ability and determination.
He died on the Dakota prairie in 1840 and was buried in this cemetery the next year.