Gabriel Franchère facts for kids
Gabriel Franchère (born November 3, 1786 – died April 12, 1863) was a French Canadian writer and explorer. He is famous for his adventures in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. He wrote an important book about his travels.
Contents
Early Life and Adventures
Gabriel Franchère was born in Montreal, Canada. His parents were Gabriel Franchère and Marie-Félicité Morin. When he was older, he joined a company called the Pacific Fur Company. He worked there as a merchant apprentice. This meant he was learning how to trade goods and manage business.
In 1811, Franchère sailed to Fort Astoria on a ship named the Tonquin. Fort Astoria was an important trading post on the Pacific Coast. It was located in what is now Oregon.
Life at Fort Astoria
The Pacific Fur Company was set up by John Jacob Astor. He was a very wealthy American businessman. The company wanted to trade furs with Native American groups in the Pacific Northwest. Franchère helped with these trading activities at Fort Astoria.
However, the War of 1812 made things difficult. The Pacific Fur Company decided to sell Fort Astoria. They sold it to a rival company called the North West Company. This happened in 1813.
The Journey Home
After the sale, Gabriel Franchère returned to Montreal. He made the long journey overland in 1814. This was a very challenging trip across the continent. For a time, he continued to work for John Jacob Astor in Montreal.
Writing His Story
Gabriel Franchère wrote a book about his experiences. It was called Narrative of a Voyage to the Northwest Coast of America. The book was first published in 1819. It told the story of his journey and time in the Pacific Northwest.
An Important Account
Franchère's book was very important. It gave people a detailed look at the early fur trade and life in the Pacific Northwest. In 1851, his book was translated into English. Later, in 1969, it was re-released by the Champlain Society.
The famous American writer Washington Irving used Franchère's untranslated book as a source. Irving used it when he wrote his own book, Astoria. This shows how valuable Franchère's writings were.
Remembering Gabriel Franchère
Today, Gabriel Franchère is remembered for his contributions. A mountain in the Canadian Rockies was named in his honor. It is called Franchère Peak. It was named in 1917.
