Born 1794,
Quebec, Canada
Died September 27, 1854,
Oregon City, Oregon

Peter Skene Ogden became an explorer as a result of his work as a fur trader for the Hudson’s Bay Company. Known for his ruthless and brutal dealings with Native Americans, he could speak several native languages. Since he could also speak French fluently, he was known among the trappers as “Monsieur Pete.” He was married to two Native American women and had children with both of them. In 1853, the year before his death, he anonymously published a book about his experiences called Traits of American-Indian Life and Character.

Ogden was born in Quebec City in Canada. Ogden’s parents were natives of the United States who went to Canada during the American Revolution because they supported Britain. When Peter was four years old, his family moved to Montreal, where his...