Alexander Ross (1783–1856) was a Scottish-Canadian fur trader and author who wrote extensively about the early history of the Pacific Northwest and the Red River Settlement. Born in Scotland, Ross emigrated to Canada in 1804, initially working as a schoolteacher before joining John Jacob Astor's Pacific Fur Company in 1810. He participated in the expedition that founded Fort Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia River, an experience that would later form the basis of his literary career.
Following the sale of Fort Astoria, Ross worked for the North West Company and later the Hudson's Bay Company, establishing himself as a prominent figure in the fur trade. In 1825, he retired from active trading and relocated to the Red River Settlement in present-day Manitoba, Canada. There, he became a prominent citizen, serving in various public offices and dedicating his later years to writing.
Ross is best remembered for his three major historical works, which provide invaluable first-hand accounts of the fur trade era. His publications include Adventures of the First Settlers on the Oregon or Columbia River (1849), The Fur Hunters of the Far West (1855), and The Red River Settlement (1856). These works are celebrated for their detailed observations of Indigenous peoples, geography, and the daily operations of the fur trade, securing his legacy as a vital chronicler of early Canadian and American history.
