William Tomison

William Tomison
Bornc. 1739
South Ronaldsay, Orkney, Scotland
Died26 March 1829(1829-03-26) (aged 89–90)
South Ronaldsay, Orkney, Scotland
OccupationsFur trader, explorer
EmployerHudson's Bay Company (1760–1811)
Known for
  • Founding Edmonton House
  • Chief Inland Master of the HBC
  • Smallpox epidemic humanitarian efforts
TitleGovernor of the North West Territory (local title)

William Tomison was a Scottish fur trader who helped to establish and build a number of trading posts for the Hudson's Bay Company, such as Edmonton House. He was involved in the fur trade for over thirty years, during which time he served in York Factory and Severn House. He managed the Cumberland House during the smallpox epidemic that affected the Cree from 1780 to 1781, providing assistance to First Nations people. Tomison served the Hudson's Bay Company for fifty-one years before retiring in 1811. During retirement, Tomison founded a school for poor children in South Ronaldsay.

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