Henry Hudson : Ask Biography

This speculative portrait from Cyclopedia of Universal History is one of several used to represent Henry Hudson.

Personal information

Birth date

c. 1560/70s

Place of birth

England

Date of death

1611, most likely

Death place

Hudson Bay

Occupation

Dutch Sea Commander, former English Sea Commander, Author

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Henry Hudson (c. 1560/70s - 1611?) was an English sea explorer and navigator in the early 17th century. After several voyages on behalf of English merchants to explore a prospective Northeast Passage to India, Hudson explored the region around modern New York City while looking for a western route to Asia under the auspices of the Dutch East India Company. He explored the river which eventually was named for him, and laid thereby the foundation for Dutch colonization of the region.

Hudson discovered a strait and immense bay on his final expedition while 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 others adrift, and the Hudsons, and those cast off at their side, were never seen again.