Memorable Manitobans: Alexander Christie (1792-1872)

Alexander Christie Click to enlarge

Fur trader, Governor of Red River Settlement (1833-1839, 1844-1846).

Reputedly born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1792, he joined the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1809, beginning his career at Moose Factory in the timber business. He advanced quickly, becoming Chief Factor in 1821. He headed Moose Factory from 1826 to 1830 and York Factory from 1830 to 1833. He became Governor of Assiniboia until 1839, then again from 1844 to 1848. Christie’s second term was taken up with attempting to enforce the HBC fur-trading monopoly. But he could not enforce his pretensions, and he opined to the Company that a military force was essential. One was sent in 1846 under Colonel John Folliot Crofton and another in 1848 under Major William Bletterman Caldwell. Christie died in Scotland in 1872.

Father-in-law of John Black.

See also:

Alexander Christie, Dictionary of Canadian Biography X,167-68.

Sources:

Pioneers and Early Citizens of Manitoba, Winnipeg: Manitoba Library Association, 1971.

Dictionary of Manitoba Biography by John M. “Jack” Bumsted, Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press, 1999.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 19 April 2022

Memorable Manitobans This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations. Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text: Custom Search Browse surnames beginning with: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z Browse deaths occurring in: 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Send corrections and additions to this page to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.ca Criteria for Memorable Manitobans | Suggest a Memorable Manitoban | Firsts | Acknowledgements Help us keep history alive!