He was born in New York on May 20, 1776 in either Albany or Mapletown, and died on August 18, 1862.
His father was also called Simon Fraser and he was a Scottish Loyalist. His father was taken prisoner in a war. His home life was difficult because his father died when he was 3.
His family was harrassed by Americans. His mom moved them to Canada when he was 8. He worked for the Northwest company trading furs. He started in 1793 in Montreal. He was chosen to help expand the company to the west in the Rocky Mountains.
On his voyages, he established Fort McLeod, Fort Fraser, Fort St. James, and Fort George.
He tried to find and explore the Columbia river, but he ended up exploring a river in British Columbia called the Fraser river. He led 23 men on a long journey of 520 miles. He made friends with First Nations tribes and they helped him explore.
He returned to work for the North West Company for ten years. He left the Northwest company after a trial. He then went to live in Cornwall Ontario and be a farmer with his brother and sisters. He got married and had 9 children but one died. He then defended Canada in a rebellion, but injured his knee really badly. He died when he was 86 and his wife died the next day.