Anthony Henday

Anthony Henday (fl. 1750–1762) was one of the first European men to explore the interior of the Canadian northwest.

Henday was from the Isle of Wight, he may have been baptised in Shorwell on 24 December 1725.

His explorations were authorized and funded by the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) because of their concern with La Vérendrye and the other western commanders who were funnelling fur trade from the northwest to their forts. Eventually James Isham chief at York Fort suggested that someone go out into western Rupert's Land to encourage trade with the First Nations tribes in the region. Henday volunteered to undertake an expedition into this territory. A convicted smuggler, he joined the HBC in 1750 as a net-maker and labourer. Henday had gained some experience in inland travel after arriving at York Factory. On June 26, 1754, he set out with a group of Plains Indians and they traveled on foot from York Factory to present-day Red Deer, Alberta. It is documented that they passed the French Fort Paskoya where he may have met La Corne, the western commander at that time.