McLoughlin, John (1784–1857)

Canadian fur trader, a founder of British Columbia and Oregon. He became chief agent of the Hudson's Bay Company, was put in charge of the Columbia department 1823, and later built Fort Vancouver. Over a period of 25 years he did much to lay foundations of commerce along the British Columbian coast; on one expedition he chose the site of Victoria.

McLoughlin was born in Rivière-du-Loup on the St Lawrence River. He studied medicine, and joined the Northwestern Company about 1803 as a physician. By 1814 he had become a partner in the company, being in charge of the Rainy Lake District. He accepted a commission with the Hudson's Bay Company after its merger with the Northwestern Company. In 1846 he retired to Oregon City, where he was known as the ‘father of Oregon’.