Wemyss Mackenzie Simpson

Who was Wemyss Mackenzie Simpson?

Wemyss Mackenzie Simpson was a Canadian fur trader and political figure. He represented Algoma in the Canadian House of Commons as a Conservative member from 1867 to 1871.

He was born in London, England in 1824, the son of Geddes Mackenzie Simpson. He studied at Eton College and came to Lower Canada in 1841 as an employee of the Hudson's Bay Company. Simpson served with the company until 1864, serving as a the last factor for the post at Sault Ste. Marie, where he settled after his retirement. His cousin, George Simpson, was a governor of the Hudson's Bay Company. In 1870, Simpson acted as guide and interpreter for the Red River Expeditionary Force. In 1871, he was named Indian Commissioner for Rupert's Land and resigned from his seat in the House of Commons. Later that same year, he arranged Treaties 1 and 2 with the Ojibwa and Swampy Cree Nations in southern Manitoba.

Simpson was married twice: to Annie Ironside in 1853 and later to Eliza Ironside, her sister. He died at Fort Monroe, Virginia in 1894.