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Nicknamed "The Little Emperor" because of his resemblance to Napoleon, George Simpson was Governor of Rupert's Land (Hudson's Bay Company territory, now part of Canada) for about 40 years. He brought order and efficiency to the Hudson's Bay Company and oversaw its most profitable years. George was born in Scotland about 1786 and was talented at mathematics in school. He worked in his uncle's sugar brokerage until he was hired by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1820. When the Hudson's Bay Company joined with their bitter rivals, the North West Company, Simpson organized a dinner to bring the former enemies together. Some men sat across the table from men who had formerly held them captive. Others had fought with one another during the two company's competition for the fur trade. In his “Reminiscences of 1821”, this is how John Tod described the event: |
(Tod's Reminiscences of 1821, BC Archives, quoted from Wolfenden, 1954).
The atmosphere was tense with the expectation that fighting would break out at any minute, but Simpson tactfully got all the men to eat and drink together and become loyal employees of the Hudson's Bay Company.
John Tod, who had always had problems with authority, did not get along with his new boss, George Simpson. Simpson also did not like Tod. After an argument, he sent Tod to New Caledonia (now British Columbia) where he sent the men he didn't like.
British Columbia was a wild and dangerous place at the time and the men were afraid to be sent there. Of course, the cheeky Tod pretended to Simpson that he wanted to go there!
Governor Simpson was known for his exploitation of native women and used derogatory names ("bits of
brown," "commodities," "brown jug") when talking about them. He had many casual relationships and some longer relationships resembling Country Marriages although he didn't respect the customs of the country. He would abandon his women with no concern for their feelings and showed only a little concern for his children born of these relationships. In 1829, while his country wife Margaret Taylor gave birth to her second child by Simpson and awaited his return from Britain, he married his 18-year-old cousin, Frances Simpson.
His personal life aside, George Simpson was admired for his administrative abilities, even by people who didn't like him otherwise. Tod said “This personage had great ability in business, and also tact in managing
men...” (Wolfenden, 1954).
Because of his achievements, Simpson was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1841. He then took a trip around the world. He served the Hudson's Bay Company until his death in 1860 and his legacy influenced the operations of the
Hudson's Bay Company for decades after.
“Good!,” exclaimed I, with a double hand clasp, “the very place I wish to go to. I thought of asking for an appointment out there”
(Wolfenden, 1954).
The Hudson's Bay Company was now using York boats instead of canoes because they held more cargo, but Simpson preferred the faster canoe, and was famous for his tireless travels across the country by canoe and horseback.
