Joseph Howse | The Canadian Encyclopedia

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Joseph Howse

Joseph Howse, fur trader, explorer, linguist (b at Cirencester, Eng c 1774; d there 4 Sept 1852). In 1795 Howse signed on with the Hudson's Bay Co as a "writer.

Howse, Joseph

Joseph Howse, fur trader, explorer, linguist (b at Cirencester, Eng c 1774; d there 4 Sept 1852). In 1795 Howse signed on with the Hudson's Bay Co as a "writer." After 4 years at York Factory, he was put in charge of the company's Saskatchewan District, staying for varying periods at Carlton House, Chesterfield House and Fort Edmonton. From Edmonton, Howse explored the Rocky Mountain House-Columbia River continental divide (1809-11). Howse's fight with the Nor'Westers in 1814 and 1815 may have forced his retirement to England. Active in the Church Missionary Society, and the Royal Geographical Society, he also authored the important Grammar of the Cree Language ... (1844) and published several articles in the Proceedings of the Philological Society. Howse Pass is named for him.