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Hudson's Bay Company | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 2 May 1670 London, England |
| Founder | Médard des Groseilliers Pierre-Esprit Radisson |
The Hudson's Bay Company (abbreviated HBC and colloquially Hudson's Bay) is a Canadian corporation that is the oldest corporation in North America and is currently being liquidated. Originally a Crown Corporation, it's goal was to maximize profit from the fur trade in Rupert's Land and hasten the colonization of North America.
Founding and Early Years[edit | edit source]
The Hudson's Bay Company was founded by French explorer's Pierre-Esprit Radisson and his brother-in-law Médard des Groseilliers. The brothers first pitched their idea of a fur trading company to France but to no avail. Despite the setback, they went to England in 1655 and captured the interest of Prince Rupert, who was the cousin of King Charles II. The King gave the brothers exclusive trading rights in the vast region of "Rupert's Land". The Royal Charter was officially granted on May 2nd 1670, making the Hudson's Bay Company the oldest corporation in Canada.[1]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Rupert's Land". The Canadian Encylopedia.