David Thompson: A Trail by Stars |
| Tom Shardlow’s biography
David Thompson: A Trail by Stars brings to life the remarkable
experiences and achievements of one of the legendary map-makers and explorers
of Canada and the western United States. David Thompson came to North America from London in 1784 as a 14 year-old apprentice to the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) in the fur trade. Thompson longed to explore the wilderness, but the HBC gave him little opportunity to do so, even after they trained him as a surveyor and mapmaker. In 1797 he left the HBC for the rival North West Company, which assigned him the task of surveying and mapping the unknown northwestern part of North America and finding a passable trade route to the Pacific. |
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Thompson recorded the latitude and longitude of each place he visited. He learned to speak the languages of the indigenous peoples and also recorded their customs in his journals. His Metis wife Charlotte Small and their children often travelled with him. In 1811, he crossed the Rockies through Athabasca Pass and followed the Columbia River to the sea. Across North America in 2007-2009, communities will celebrate the David Thompson Bicentennials. For 34 years the great explorer, surveyor, and fur trader travelled across the continent, finding and mapping the routes between the St. Lawrence and the Pacific. Trusting the stars and his sextant, he surveyed a continental area so vast it remains a mapping achievement unequalled in human history. This is the story of David Thompson’s epic journey – his trail by stars. Includes a bibliographical references and index. About the author: Tom Shardlow lives in Nanaimo, B.C. A research biologist, he has published more than 30 articles in international scientific journals as well as poetry and award-winning short fiction in magazines. Shardlow’s own travels as a field scientist in the West have given him deep respect for what David Thompson accomplished. Written by Tom Shardlow. Published by XYZ Publishing, 2006. |
| Catalogue No. | 1-894852-18-4 |
| Price | $17.95 |
| Format | Softcover |
| Pages | 170 |
| Language | English only |
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| Price and availability subject to change.
Shipping and applicable taxes extra. Questions about this product? Please e-mail us. This page last modified: December 21, 2006 |
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