Lorenz Learmonth
Lorenz Learmonth was born in 1892 in Scotland. He started with the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1911 as a clerk and returned in 1919, after World War I to become the Hudson’s Bay Company Post Manager at Port Harrison. He worked at many locations in the north including Lake Harbour (now Kimmirut), Chesterfield Inlet, Cambridge Bay, Fort Ross and Coppermine (now Kugluktuk).
In 1937, Learmonth,
fellow trader D.G. Sturrock and carpenter Clem James erected the last
new post devoted to the fox trade at Fort Ross. Learmonth stayed behind
as Post Manager, leaving in 1947 when Fort Ross was closed due to its
remoteness and expense. Its residents were moved to Spence Bay (now Taloyoak).
Later, Learmonth managed to return on a commercial line to Bellot Strait, spending a week reflecting at the ruins of the outpost. Lorenz Learmonth retired in 1957 after 46 years in the north. He died in 1985.
return
to
Lorenz A. Learmonth's departure. At this time, Learmonth
was the Western Regional Manager for the H.B.C. [Hudson's Bay Company]
September, 1947 [Lorenz A. Learmonth].
Osborne
fonds/NWT Archives
N-1990-006: 0216(1870063) (edit)
Click for a brief (2:09) clip of an interview with Lorenz Learmonth originally
featured on the CBC Northern Service radio program "The Days Before
Yesterday" in 1982. Les McLaughlin produced. Shelagh Rogers hosted.
Learmonth
intro (CBC/NWT Archives/N-1998-030: 0152):
Quicktime
Windows Media
Listen
to the entire interview (14:00), in which Learmonth describes his days
as a trader with the Hudson's Bay Company establishing trading posts in
Canada's North.
Learmonth
complete (CBC/NWT Archives/N-1998-030: 0152):
Quicktime
Windows Media