Arthur Harper (trader)

Arthur Harper (1833 – 1897) was an American trader, prospector, and businessman prominent in the early development of the Yukon region of Canada during the Klondike Gold Rush era. Born in Antrim County, Ireland, he emigrated to the United States and later moved to the Canadian West.

Harper is primarily known for establishing trading posts and supply routes that were crucial for miners and prospectors entering and working in the Yukon territory. He partnered with fellow traders such as Leroy Napoleon McQuesten and Alfred Mayo, forming a trading company, Harper, McQuesten & Company, that controlled much of the trade in the upper Yukon River area.

Harper's business acumen and exploration efforts significantly contributed to the initial infrastructure and development of the Yukon, paving the way for the massive influx of people that characterized the Klondike Gold Rush beginning in 1896. He is credited with recognizing the potential of the region and facilitating early economic activity. He married Seentahna, a woman of the Koyukon Athabascan people, and their family played a role in bridging cultures during a time of rapid change. He died in California.