Pierre-Esprit Radisson

Who was Pierre-Esprit Radisson?

Pierre-Esprit Radisson was a French fur trader and explorer. He is often linked to his brother-in-law Médard des Groseilliers, who was about 20 years older. The decision of Radisson and Groseilliers to enter the English service led to the formation of the Hudson's Bay Company.

Born near Avignon in 1636 or possibly 1640, he came to New France at an early age in the year 1651. While out duck-hunting he was captured by the Mohawks but was adopted by his captors. He learned their language and way of life and joined them in their wars. While out hunting with an Algonquin and three Mohawks the captives killed their captors and escaped but were quickly hunted down. The Algonquin was killed and Radisson was tortured until he was rescued by his Indian 'family'. He later escaped to Fort Orange where he served as an interpreter. For some reason he was sent to Europe along with a Jesuit priest. He returned to Trois-Rivières in 1657 or 1654 where he found his half-sister married to Groseilliers. In 1657/58 he was at the Jesuit Iroquois mission near what is now Syracuse, New York, and returned to Quebec when this failed. He was now about 21 years of age.