Memorable Manitobans: George Keith (c1785-1859)

Fur trader.

Born in Scotland circa 1785, he joined the North West Company between 1799 and 1806 as a clerk at Athabasca. He became a partner in 1813 and was in charge of the Athabasca department. He joined the Hudson’s Bay Company when the two Companies amalgamated, and was Chief Factor of the English River district at Ile-à-la-Crosse. From 1828 until 1835 he was in charge of the Lake Superior District at Michipicoten, when he was transferred to Moose Factory. In 1839 he returned to Michipicoten and there he remained until 1843. Keith retired in June 1845. He served as a Councillor of the Governors of the Hudson’s Bay Company Territories in 1822 and as a Councillor of Rupert’s Land in 1839. He died at Aberdeen on 22 January 1859. Keith is commemorated by Keith Road in Winnipeg. His papers are at the Aberdeen University Library.

See also:

George Keith, Dictionary of Canadian Biography VIII, 453-54.

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: 7 December 2013

Memorable Manitobans

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.

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