Henry, Alexander, the Elder

(1739-1824). One of the pioneer fur traders in north-western America. Born in New Jersey. Entered the fur trade as a young man, 1760, or perhaps earlier. His Travels and Adventures open in that year and describe his experiences in the West for the following sixteen years. Sailed for Europe in 1776, where he made the acquaintance of Sir Joseph Banks, president of the Royal Society, and had an opportunity of describing his adventures to Marie Antoinette. Afterwards settled in Montreal as a merchant. Index : MS Leaves Montreal for western fur country, 3. Bib. : Travels and Adventures in Canada and the Indian Territories , New York, 1809; new ed., with biog. and other notes, by James Bain, Toronto, 1901. See also Burpee, Search for the Western Sea .