Jean-Bonaventure Rousseau was an influential fur trader in New France, and, after its capture by Great Britain, the Province of Canada.
[2] His son Jean Baptiste Rousseau started as a fur trader before becoming one of the most important merchants in Upper Canada.
[1] Rousseau restored Fort Toronto, near the mouth of the Humber, to serve as a fur trading post, and delegated its operation to his son.
[4] He subsequently received a license to trade fur around the Toronto area “and from thence to any markets or parts which he should find advantageous for the sale of his merchandise".
[4] Thomas Gage, commander of British forces in North America, wrote that Rousseau was "debauching" First Nations people.