Colin Robertson (fur trader)

Colin Robertson
Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada for Two Mountains
In office 1841–1842
Preceded by	New position
Succeeded by	Charles John Forbes
Personal details
Born	(1783-07-27)July 27, 1783 Perth, Scotland
Died	February 4, 1842(1842-02-04) (aged 58) Montreal, Province of Canada
Nationality	Scottish-Canadian
Political party	Unionist and Tory
Spouse	Theresa Chalifoux
Children	At least 1 son

Colin Robertson (July 27, 1783 – February 4, 1842) was an early Canadian fur trader and political figure. Born in Scotland, for much of his adult life he was engaged in the North American fur trade, working at different times for the North West Company and the Hudson's Bay Company. He led the Hudson's Bay Company expedition to Lake Athabasca.

The fur trade competition between the two companies was fierce and largely unregulated. While working with the North West Company, Robertson fought a duel with a fellow Nor'Wester. Later, when working for the Hudson's Bay Company, he faced criminal charges for having seized the fort of the Nor'Westers in the Red River colony, but was acquitted by a court in Lower Canada. On a later expedition, he was twice captured by Samuel Black of the North West Company, who planned to charge him with attempted murder. Robertson escaped both times, fled to the United States, and returned to England. After the death of his financial patron, Lord Selkirk, Robertson had to flee to France to avoid imprisonment for debt; he eventually worked out a bankruptcy agreement where he paid his creditors two shillings on the pound, before returning to the fur trade.

While engaged in the fur trade, Robertson married Theresa Chalifoux, a Métis woman. Contrary to the contemporary attitudes to such marriages, he treated his wife with respect and tried to integrate her into the fur-trading social life. They had at least one son, also named Colin, whom Robertson ensured had a good education in England.

Following the merger of the two companies in 1821, Robertson worked for the Hudson's Bay Company throughout Rupert's Land and the Canadian north-western territory. In 1832, he had a paralyzing stroke, from which he never fully recovered. In 1840, he retired to Montreal. He was elected to the first Parliament of the Province of Canada in 1841, but died in early 1842 when he was thrown from his sleigh.