James Knight (explorer)

James Knight (c. 1640 – c. 1721/22) was an English explorer and fur trader employed by the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC). He is best known for his final, ill-fated voyage in search of mineral wealth and the Northwest Passage in 1719.

Knight began his career with the HBC in the 1670s and quickly rose through the ranks due to his trading acumen and leadership skills. He served as governor of York Factory (now York Landing, Manitoba) for several terms, solidifying the HBC's presence in the region and expanding its trade network with Indigenous populations, particularly the Cree. He was known for his relatively fair dealings with Indigenous peoples compared to some other traders of the time.

In 1713, following the Treaty of Utrecht, which formally recognized British sovereignty over Hudson Bay, Knight was instrumental in re-establishing HBC operations after a period of French control. He successfully navigated the complex political landscape and rebuilt York Factory, restoring the company's dominance in the fur trade.

Despite his age, Knight convinced the HBC to fund an expedition to the north in 1719. His stated goals were to discover rich copper mines and find the elusive Northwest Passage. He set sail with two ships, the Albany and the Discovery, carrying supplies and a crew of about fifty men.

The expedition vanished. For years, no word was heard from Knight or his crew. It was not until 1767, nearly fifty years later, that traces of the expedition were discovered on Marble Island, a small island in northern Hudson Bay. Remains of the ships and a stone house revealed that the expedition had been stranded there. Evidence suggested the crew survived for at least two years, perhaps longer, before succumbing to starvation, disease, and the harsh Arctic environment. The precise details of their fate remain somewhat unclear due to the fragmentary nature of the archaeological evidence and historical accounts.

Knight's final voyage became a cautionary tale about the dangers of Arctic exploration and the limitations of 18th-century navigational technology. His story highlights the risks inherent in the pursuit of wealth and the Northwest Passage. While his last expedition ended in tragedy, his earlier contributions to the Hudson's Bay Company were significant in establishing its presence and shaping the fur trade in North America.