Rue Georges Simpson – Georges Simpsonstraat

Who was Georges Simpson, and why does a street in Ganshoren, Brussels bear his name? Here on Rue Georges Simpson – Georges Simpsonstraat, the question hangs in the air. The street itself offers few clues. It’s a residential area, quiet and unassuming. Yet, the name speaks of a connection to a larger, more adventurous story. Rue Georges Simpson – Georges Simpsonstraat is, in fact, named after Sir George Simpson, a key figure in the North American fur trade. Born in Scotland in 1792, Simpson rose through the ranks of the Hudson’s Bay Company to become its governor. He ruled over a vast territory, roughly 40% of present-day Canada. His influence stretched from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and his decisions shaped the future of the continent. Simpson was known as the “Little Emperor” for his commanding presence and meticulous management. He relentlessly travelled across his domain, by canoe, dogsled, and horseback, covering immense distances. One epic journey even took him around the world, overland, in 1841-1842. This journey, incidentally, is documented in his book, “An Overland Journey Round the World.” While his focus was primarily on the fur trade, Simpson played a crucial role in negotiations with Russia and the United States, particularly regarding territorial boundaries. Though his name might not be widely recognized in Brussels, Rue Georges Simpson – Georges Simpsonstraat serves as a quiet reminder of his far-reaching impact. A man of immense ambition and energy, Sir George Simpson’s legacy extends beyond the fur trade, touching upon the very geography and political landscape of North America. Here on Rue Georges Simpson – Georges Simpsonstraat, we glimpse a thread that connects this quiet Brussels street to the vast wilderness of a continent across the ocean.