David Thompson: The Hudson's Bay Company
David Thompson was born in London, England, on April 30, 1770. His parents were Welsh, and of little means. His father died when he was two, and at the tender age of seven, he was enrolled by his mother in the historic 'Grey Coat' charity school near Westminster Abbey.
Having shown an aptitude for mathematics, his education was oriented towards preparing him for life as a midshipman in the Royal Navy. His studies included algebra, trigonometry, geography, and navigation using 'practical astronomy'.
Over the years, the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) made periodic requests to the school for students to be apprenticed to the North American fur trade. Many of these students would later receive training from Philip Turnor, the HBC's first chief surveyor. …show more content…
Four months after the accident, Tomison noted in his journal that he was afraid Thompson could die. On May 1, 1789 he wrote 'David Thompson's leg I am afraid will turn out to be a mortification as the joint of his ancle has never lowered of the swelling' (Glover, xxiii).
Tomison decided to send Thompson to York Factory that same spring, presumably in an attempt to remove Thompson to better medical care. However, the brigade was forced to leave him at Cumberland House, about two weeks' travel dowriver from Manchester House. It was another two months before Thompson was again able to sit up in a chair (August 10, 1789). By the end of August, he was taking his first feeble steps with the help of crutches. It took him a full year to recover, but he would limp for the rest of his life.
It was at Cumberland House that Thompson's life would take a new path. In October, 1789, Philip Turnor arrived to plan a surveying expedition to the Athabasca country with the man in charge of Cumberland House, Malchom Ross. The study group included Turnor, Ross, George Hudson, and the young Peter Fidler. The invalid Thompson was invited to join in Turnor's lessons. He later wrote with remembered pride & pleasure that 'during the winter [I] became his only assistant and thus learned practical astronomy under an excellent master of the science' (Glover,
Having shown an aptitude for mathematics, his education was oriented towards preparing him for life as a midshipman in the Royal Navy. His studies included algebra, trigonometry, geography, and navigation using 'practical astronomy'.
Over the years, the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) made periodic requests to the school for students to be apprenticed to the North American fur trade. Many of these students would later receive training from Philip Turnor, the HBC's first chief surveyor. …show more content…
Four months after the accident, Tomison noted in his journal that he was afraid Thompson could die. On May 1, 1789 he wrote 'David Thompson's leg I am afraid will turn out to be a mortification as the joint of his ancle has never lowered of the swelling' (Glover, xxiii).
Tomison decided to send Thompson to York Factory that same spring, presumably in an attempt to remove Thompson to better medical care. However, the brigade was forced to leave him at Cumberland House, about two weeks' travel dowriver from Manchester House. It was another two months before Thompson was again able to sit up in a chair (August 10, 1789). By the end of August, he was taking his first feeble steps with the help of crutches. It took him a full year to recover, but he would limp for the rest of his life.
It was at Cumberland House that Thompson's life would take a new path. In October, 1789, Philip Turnor arrived to plan a surveying expedition to the Athabasca country with the man in charge of Cumberland House, Malchom Ross. The study group included Turnor, Ross, George Hudson, and the young Peter Fidler. The invalid Thompson was invited to join in Turnor's lessons. He later wrote with remembered pride & pleasure that 'during the winter [I] became his only assistant and thus learned practical astronomy under an excellent master of the science' (Glover,