September 09

Born around 1539, Sir Humphrey Gilbert was a half-brother of Sir Walter Raleigh and an influential Elizabethan figure. He served in Parliament and held court appointments before turning his attention to maritime exploration. In 1583, Gilbert led an expedition to Newfoundland, laying claim to new lands for England and envisioning permanent colonies. His efforts provided a model for future settlements despite limited support and resources. Gilbert perished at sea on 9 September 1583 during his return voyage, ending the career of one of England's earliest colonial promoters.

Born in Champagne, France in 1612, Paul de Chomedey became the first governor of Ville-Marie, which later became Montreal. He organized and led settlers to establish the colony under the Société Notre-Dame de Montréal. Facing harsh winters and conflicts with Indigenous peoples, he fortified the settlement and negotiated peace treaties. His leadership laid the groundwork for Montreal to grow into a major North American city. Considered a founding father of the city, his legacy endures in Montreal’s name and history.

James Weddell was born in Deptford, England, in 1787 and began his maritime career at a young age. He captained voyages to the South Atlantic and Antarctic aboard the sealing ship Jane. In 1823, he sailed to latitude 74°15′S, a record farthest south at the time, in what is now the Weddell Sea. Weddell’s logs and charts improved European knowledge of Antarctic geography and sea conditions. After retiring from exploration, he maintained business interests until his death in 1834.