Peter Pond (1739–1807) was an American explorer, cartographer, fur trader, and founding member of the North West Company. Born in Milford, Connecticut, he spent much of his life in northwestern North America. After beginning his fur trading career at Fort Detroit, Pond explored regions around Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and later the Athabasca area in western Canada. He established fur trading posts, including one in present-day Alberta, and was involved in the rivalry between the North West Company and Hudson's Bay Company. Pond's explorations, including his mapping of the Athabasca and Peace River regions, contributed significantly to the geographic understanding of western Canada. His maps were based on both personal exploration and information from Indigenous peoples. Although Pond was implicated in two murders, he was acquitted but eventually replaced by Alexander Mackenzie in the North West Company. Mackenzie later used Pond's insights to explore the Mackenzie River, confirming its route to the Arctic Ocean. Pond left the North West Company in 1788, sold his shares in 1790, and returned to Connecticut, where he died in 1807. His contributions to early Canadian cartography were internationally recognized at the end of the 18th century.

Peter Pond - Wikipedia