Henry Hudson

Henry Hudson

by Kate Bedford

Henry Hudson's Early Life ....................................................... 2

Henry Hudson's travels ............................................................. 3-4

Henry Hudson's motivation ...................................................... 5

Discoveries........................................................................................6

Legacy and Impact........................................................................7

Henry Hudson's death...................................................................8

Fun Facts about Henry Hudson...............................................9

Table of contents

henry hudson's early life

Little is known about Henry Hudson’s early life. It is believed that Henry Hudson was born around 1560-1570, with some historians saying it was 1565. Henry Hudson was born somewhere in England and it is believed he later lived in London. Henry Hudson knew how to read, write, and do math; it is known he received a better education than many other people at the time. He also studied navigation and became well known for his navigation skills. In addition, he had much knowledge of Arctic geography. Henry Hudson was born near the end of the Age of Exploration, which happened between the 1400s and 1600s. At this time many European explorers discovered new ways to reach India, Asia, and the Americas. A lot of America was not yet explored or mapped out at this time in history.

Henry Hudson's travels

Henry Hudson explored the arctic ocean and north american coast. And he faced many challenges throughout the sea. For example, they didn't have a lot of food and supplies. They were suffering from the cold, too. Henry Hudson made his first voyage in 1607, with his son John and 12 other crew members. In all Henry Hudson had four expeditions where he tried - but failed - to find an ice-free passage from Europe to Asia.

henry hudson's motivation

Henry Hudson's motivation was to find a northern route to India. India had lots of gold and spices to trade with other countries. Henry Hudson was hired to find a northern route that would get him safely to India much faster than other explorers had already done.

discoveries

Henry Hudson did not succeed in finding a new and fast trade route from Europe to Asia. But his discoveries along the way of his failed journeys helped create maps of the areas that he explored. Because of this several bodies of water were named after him. The Hudson River, the Hudson Strait, and the Hudson Bay.

Legacy and Impact

Henry Hudson never found the Northern passage to India that he has been searching for. But what he found along the way impacted how maps of that area became more accurate and full of information. Because of his exploration of the northeastern part of North America, he made it possible for others to search farther in that direction. His impact was so strong that many places in that area were named after him, including the Hudson River which is in our own Westchester County!

Henry Hudson's death

Henry Hudson was last seen around the end of June in the year 1611. He was set adrift by some crew members who did not care for his leadership. He was sent out on a tiny boat with his son John and seven other crew members, without resources to survive. After June 22 or 23, 1611 (there is not a specific date since this was a long time ago) they were never seen again.