Hugh Glass
Hugh Glass (c.
Hugh Glass (c. 1783–1833) was an American frontiersman, fur trapper, trader, hunter, and explorer. He is best known for surviving a grizzly bear attack and trekking hundreds of miles to safety after being left for dead by companions. His life became part of American frontier folklore and has been retold in books, biographies, and film.
Early life
Little is known with certainty about Glass’s early years. Sources generally place his birth around 1783 and identify him as American, with some accounts linking him to Pennsylvania.
Frontier career
Glass worked as a fur trapper, trader, hunter, and explorer in the early American West. He is associated with the Upper Missouri River watershed and nearby frontier regions, including present-day Montana, the Dakotas, and Nebraska.
Bear attack and survival
Glass became famous after being mauled by a grizzly bear in 1823 and left behind by companions. He survived by travelling hundreds of miles to safety, a feat that made him a frontier legend.
Death and legacy
Most accounts place his death around 1833, during an Arikara attack on the Yellowstone River. His life has since inspired biographies, folk retellings, and film adaptations.
Key facts
- Glass was an American frontier figure whose life is only partially documented.
- He became famous for surviving a severe grizzly bear mauling in 1823.
- After the attack, he travelled a long distance alone to reach help.
- Accounts describe him working in the fur trade and exploring the Upper Missouri region.
- He likely died in 1833 during an attack by Arikara people on the Yellowstone River.
Frequently asked questions
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References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_GlassSupports: Basic biographical details, occupations, regional activity, and survival story.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hugh-GlassSupports: Birth and death dates, frontier occupation, and survival after a bear attack.
- Museum of the Mountain Man — https://museumofthemountainman.com/hugh-glass/Supports: Frontier career details, scarcity of early-life information, and later death account.
- South Dakota Historical Society Foundation — https://www.sdhsf.org/news_events/history_articles.html/title/january-2016-the-legendary-hugh-glass-and-jim-bridgerSupports: Context for the 1823 expedition involving Glass and Bridger.