He was the frenchborn servant of an ambitious english trading company and a hapless petitioner at the court of louis xiv. Pierreesprit radisson wikipedia republished wiki 2. Background pierre esprit radisson was born in france, but virtually no information survives concerning his early life. In that year he was captured and adopted by iroquois indians. His journals, first published as the voyages of peter esprit radisson 1885, are confusing documents, often leaving great doubt as to the location of places and the time of events. Radisson arrived in new france possibly in 1651 and settled at troisrivieres. Pierreesprit radisson, whose name was appropriated by a hotel chain, was considered an explorer, but never discovered anything. He was a teenager captured, tortured, and adopted by the mohawk, and a youth relishing the freedom of the wilderness. A pierreesprit radisson, presumably the explorers father, was baptized 21 april 1590 n. A young radisson was captured by iroquois warriors.
It weaves the compelling story of one mans life into the bigpicture events of his times and into a profound account of the forces that shaped our country. Little is known of his parents, birth, or early childhood in france. Being an account of his travels and experiences among the north american indians, from 1652 to 1684. Radisson, pierre esprit words pierre esprit radisson was one of the most famous explorers to travel the north american continent. Pierre radisson, after witnessing the slaying of two of his friends, is captured by iroquois indians who promise to spare his life if he will withstand their torture without flinching. Pierreesprit radisson 16591660 virtual museum of new. Their decision to enter british service led to the foundation of the hudsons bay company in 1670. Pierreesprit radisson, explorer, fur trader b in france 1636. The explorations of pierre esprit radisson by pierreesprit radisson. He is often paired with his brotherinlaw pierre esprit radisson, who was about 20 years younger.
Pierreesprit radisson, explorer, fur trader 16361710 pierre esprit radisson was born in france in 1636 or 1640his exact age is unknownand he moved to new france now quebec in 1651, following his halfsister to presumed adventure in trois rivieres. The adventures of pierre esprit radisson untold lives series paperback june 4, 2019. The french explorer and soldier of fortune pierreesprit radisson ca. Pierreesprit radisson historical records and family. Born in france in the late 1630s and immigrating to quebec as a child, radisson was like a frontiersman forrest gumphe travelled the world, met some of the most influential figures in history, and took risks no sensible person would take in any age. Pierre esprit radisson, the 17th century french fur trader and explorer, is a largely forgotten historical figure.
Pierre esprit radisson 163616401710 was a french fur trader and explorer in new france. Known to some as the first european to explore the upper mississippi, and widely as the namesake of ships and hotel chains, pierre esprit radisson is perhaps best described, writes mark bourrie, as. Pierre esprit radisson, whose name was appropriated by a hotel chain, was considered an explorer, but never discovered anything. In an affidavit dated 1697 and a petition of 1698, radisson himself states that he was then 61 and 62 years of age respectively, thereby indicating that he was. Boys and girls who became famous by the editorial board of the university society. Barb minett, the bookshelf guelph, on truly a rollicking good read.
Radisson, saskatchewan, canada history, photos, stories. Radisson and his brotherinlaw medard des groseillers, were adventurers, couriers du bois, and explorers and are credited with laying the groundwork for the formation of the company of adventurers of england trading into hudson bay. Through it, he earned a reputation as a courageous explorer and a cunning merchant. Transcribed from original manuscripts in the bodleian library and the british museum. He is often linked to his brotherinlaw medard des groseilliers. Career from his own sketchy account of his career, it appears that radisson was captured by the iroquois in the early 1650s, was adopted by an indian family, and spent some 2 years traveling and hunting with his captors. Pierre esprit radisson, explorer, fur trader b in france 1636.
It was named after pierre esprit radisson 16361710, an explorer who was instrumental in the creation of hudsons bay company. His career was particularly notable for its repeated transitions between serving britain and france. Pierre radisson 1636 1710, french explorer, trader. In that year he was captured and adopted by iroquois indians, with whom he chose to remain despite opportunities to. This book places both in context with their time and ambitions. By far the most interesting chapters dealt with radisson s on and off relationship with the iroquois. The first journal tells of his capture 165253 by the iroquois. The adventures of the french explorer and fur trader, pierre esprit radisson. If you only ever read one book about seventeenth century canada, make it bush runner. With a life that would rival any adventure heros, pierreesprit radissons unbelievable story is only now being told.
The decision of radisson and groseilliers to enter the english service led to the formation of the hudsons bay company. Pierreesprit radisson, published by the ryerson press in 1930, was written by katherine hale for the canadian history readers series. Pierre esprit radisson was to become a famous explorer and fur trader. He arrived in 1630 from france, his birthplace, and entered north america via the st. Lawrence river, settling in new france, at three rivers, quebec, upstream from montreal. Pierre esprit radisson s 1659 expedition to lake superior and beyond opened a door to the north american fur trade. An important portion of this book was printed from the manuscript narratives of four journeys, or voyages, as the. Pierre esprit radisson was born around 1640, either in avignon or paris. Sometimes credited with founding the hudsons bay company, at the end of his life radisson had to sue for a paltry bit of money to keep him from the poor house. Pierreesprit radisson by germaine warkentin overdrive. Pierreesprit radisson the french explorer and soldier of fortune pierreesprit radisson ca.
Radisson s half sister, marguerite hayet, played an important role in his life as he either came to new france with her or as a result of her being there. Pierreesprit radisson, explorer, fur trader 16361710. Wikipedia there is much more to discover about radisson, saskatchewan, canada. Save up to 80% by choosing the etextbook option for isbn. The adventures of pierre esprit radisson, mark bourrie explores the life of a man often simplistically called an explorer, fur trader or adventurer. In the 2010s he is remembered as one of the first europeans. First nation, first blood laurentian heritage webmagazine. Voyages of radisson forty years ago there issued from the press of the prince society of boston a book bearing the title voyages of pierre esprit radisson. Bush runner 9781771962377, 9781771962384 vitalsource. His journals, first published as the voyages of peter esprit radisson 1885, are confusing documents, often leaving great doubt as to the. Radisson feuilleton daventures 1957 a 1959 youtube.
Pierre esprit radisson peoplecharacters librarything. Pierreesprit radisson, french explorer and fur trader who served both france and england in canada. This shrewd opportunist was valued for his knowledge of indian life and north american geography. Pierreesprit radisson 16361710 was a frenchcanadian fur trader and explorer.
The pair worked together in fur trading and exploration. A vibrant biography of explorer radisson wins final rbc. Made brothersinlaw by the marriage of des grosseilliers to radisson s halfsister, the two eventually formed a partnership. Records may include photos, original documents, family history, relatives, specific dates, locations and full names. Most important of all for canadian history is his role in helping the british establish the hudson bay company on the shores of hudson and james bays. Bh synopsis from us voyageur pierre esprit radisson goes on the warpath after two. Pierre esprit radisson becomes the true antihero of a story that immerses you in a very different north america a vast land of dynamic wars between indigenous nations, between themselves and against european settlements that are barely surviving on its periphery. Radisson, pierre esprit article about radisson, pierre. The adventures of pierreesprit radisson by ottawa author mark bourrie. Radisson is a town in the province of saskatchewan, canada. The feud between the hudsons bay company and the northwest company duration. Ctva canada radisson tomahawk 195758 adventure series. From the publisher with a life that would rival any adventure heros, pierre esprit radisson s unbelievable story is only now being told. A vibrant biography of explorer radisson wins final rbc taylor prize mark bourries chronicling of pierre esprit radisson includes cannibalism, a caribbean shipwreck and the creation of the hudson.