Radisson Pierre Esprit 1620?-1710? Born In Paris Came To Canada
in 1651, and settled at Three Rivers. In 1652 captured by the Iroquois
and carried off to their country, where by great good fortune he escaped
the following year. In 1657 had the hardihood to make a voluntary visit
to the Onondagas; in 1658 explored the country south-west of Lake
Superior, discovered the Mississippi, and possibly went beyond. In 1661
made another journey to the west, accompanied as on the previous journey
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by his brother-in-law, Medard Chouart; wintered among the Sioux, and the
following year explored the country north of Lake Superior, and
apparently penetrated to James Bay. In 1665 went to England and offered
his services to lead a trading expedition to Hudson Bay. The result of
this trading venture was the establishment of the Hudson's Bay Company.
In 1674, returned to the service of France, led an expedition to Hudson
Bay in 1682, and captured an English ship. In 1684 once more changed his
allegiance, and from that year to the time of his death remained in the
service of the Hudson's Bay Company. =Index=: (Count Frontenac era) Proceedings of, in
Hudson Bay, 204-205. =Bib.=: Voyages of Peter Esprit Radisson (Prince
Society, Boston, 1885); Relation du Voiage du Sieur Pierre Esprit
Radisson (Canadian Archives Report, 1895); Sulte, Radisson in the
North-West (R. S. C., 1904); Decouverte du Mississippi (R. S. C.,
1903); Prud'homme, Notes Historiques sur la Vie de Radisson; Dionne,
Chouart et Radisson (R. S. C., 1893, 1894); Bryce, Further History of
Pierre Esprit Radisson (R. S. C., 1898) and Hudson's Bay Company;
Laut, Pathfinders of the West and The Conquest of the Great
North-West.