Hudson, Henry (c. 1565-1611)

English explorer. Under the auspices of the Muscovy Company (1607-08), he made two unsuccessful attempts to find the Northeast Passage to China. In September 1609, commissioned by the Dutch East India Company, he reached New York Bay and sailed 240 km/150 mi up the river that now bears his name, establishing Dutch claims to the area. In 1610 he sailed from London in the Discovery and entered what is now the Hudson Strait. After an icebound winter, he was turned adrift by a mutinous crew in what is now Hudson Bay.

Hudson had heard reports of two possible channels to the Pacific Ocean across North America. One of these had been described by English soldier and colonist John Smith. Since Hudson's search for the Northeast Passage proved unsuccessful, he chose to pursue Smith's suggestion.