Alexander Mackenzie (Mackenzie Alexander)

(ca. 1755-1820)
Born in Stornoway on o.Lyuis (Scotland). In 1774 he moved to New York, in 1778 settled in Montreal. From 1779 to 1787 he worked in a Scottish company on the fur trade, first as a clerk, then a trader and companion until its merger with the North West Company. In 1788 Mackenzie was appointed head of the trading North West Company at Fort Chippewyan oz.Atabaska. 16 July 1789 on a journey to the Great Slave Lake, then descended the river now bearing his name, to the Arctic Ocean. Three months later, McKenzie returned to Fort Chippewyan. In 1793 crossed the Rocky Mountains and down the Parsnip and Peace rivers, then crossed plot r.Freyzer. From the river on foot to the west and 21 July 1793 went to the Pacific Ocean near the Strait of Dean. In 1799 Mackenzie broke relations with the North West Company and returned to England, . which published his book Travels from Montreal on the St. Lawrence River across the continent of North America to the Arctic and Pacific Oceans in 1789 and 1793 respectively (Voyages from Montreal on the River St,
. Lawrence through the Continent of North America to the Frozen and Pacific Oceans, in the Years 1789 and 1793. 1801; rus. translated 1808). In 1802 was elevated to the British knighthood by King George III. In the same year, McKenzie returned to Montreal and led the company until 1804 'X-y', until it merged with the North West Company. Settling in Montreal, participated in the public life of this city and Lower Canada. In 1804-1808 was elected to the Provincial Assembly as a member of the Huntington District. In 1808 he returned to Scotland. Mackenzie died near Pitlochry (Scotland) 11 March 1820.