Henry Hudson

An English sea explorer and navigator during the early 17th century, best known for his explorations of present-day Canada and parts of the northeastern United States.

Biography

In 1607 and 1608, Hudson made two attempts on behalf of English merchants to find a rumored Northeast Passage to Cathay (present-day China) via a route above the Arctic Circle. In 1609 he landed in North America and explored the region around the modern New York metropolitan area, looking for a Northwest Passage to Asia on behalf of the Dutch East India Company. He sailed up the Hudson River, which was later named for him, and thereby laid the foundation for Dutch colonization of the region.

Hudson discovered the Hudson Strait and the immense Hudson Bay on his final expedition, while still searching for the Northwest Passage. In 1611, after wintering on the shore of James Bay, Hudson wanted to press on to the west, but most of his crew mutinied. The mutineers cast Hudson, his son, and seven others adrift; the Hudsons and their companions were never seen again.

Publications

TitlePublication DateDescriptionLink
Henry Hudson (webpage from Wikipedia) A detailed article on Hudson Link

Events

NameDate
Henry Hudson born 1565
Henry Hudson's 1607 Expedition Sets Sail 1607-05-01
Henry Hudson's 1607 Expedition Returns 1607-09-15
Henry Hudson's 1608 Expedition Sets Out 1608-04-22
Henry Hudson's 1608 Expedition Returns 1608-08-26
Henry Hudson's 1610 expedition sets sail 1610-04-17
Henry Hudson disappears 1611
Discovery returns to London 1611-10-20

Expeditions

NameBegin DateEnd DateStart Head CountEnd Head Count
Henry Hudson's 1607 Voyage 1607 1607 12
Henry Hudson's 1608 Voyage 1608 1608 15
Henry Hudson's 1609 Voyage 1609 1609
Henry Hudson's 1610 Voyage 1610 1611 25

Locations

North American Plate
Northwest Passage

Objects Operated

NameType
Discovery Sea-going Vessel
Halve Maen Sea-going Vessel
Hopewell Sea-going Vessel