Sir Alexander Mackenzie

Map of Route

Date of Birth/Death: 1706-1820

Nationality: Scottish

Date of Exploration: 1789, 1793, 1801

Area of Exploration: Alaska, Canada, USA, Pacific Ocean

Sponsoring Nation: United States

Reason for Exploration: To expand fur trade

Accomplishments: He was the first white man to cross the content North of Mexico

Main Modes of Transportation: Boats, canoes

     Sir Alexander Mackenzie was a British fur trader born in 1764. In 1774 he went to New York where he stayed  until 1778. He was sent to Montreal in 1779 where he went to the service of a firm of fur traders, Gregory McLeod and Co. He stayed to work as a clerk and trader. He later became a partner until the absorption of the firm by the North West Company post of Fort Chippewan, Alberta.  It was from this post that he set out on his voyage to Great Slave Lake and down the river which bears his name. He reached the Arctic Ocean on July,16 1789.  Within three months of setting out, he was back at Fort Chippewan having explored the Mackenzie, one of the largest rivers of North America. In 1793 Mackenzie crossed the Rocky Mountains. He ascended the Peace and Parsnip Rivers and then followed the Fraser for part of its course. In 1795 he cut his connection with the North West Company and returned to England where he published his book Voyages from Montreal on the River St. Lawrence to the Continent of North America to the Frozen and Pacific Ocean in the Year 1789 and 1793.

     The background music on this page was written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart{1756-1791} The title of this song is "#2Andante Con Espressiane"  http://www.lauraswmidheaven.com./                               

"Mackenzie, Alexander," Collier Encyclopedia 15 New York. Toronto. Sydney 1996 Volume 15