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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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People File • Explorer

Hugh Glass

Hugh Glass (c.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Hugh Glass (c. 1783–1833) was an American frontiersman who became a symbol of survival after a brutal grizzly bear attack. His story is a classic of American frontier folklore, later adapted into books and films.

Who was Hugh Glass?

Glass was an American frontiersman, fur trapper, trader, hunter, and explorer active in the early 19th century. He worked in the Upper Missouri River watershed, including present-day Montana, the Dakotas, and Nebraska. Much of his life is only partially documented, but his survival story made him a lasting figure in frontier lore.

The bear attack and survival

In 1823, Glass was severely mauled by a grizzly bear and left for dead by his companions. Despite his injuries, he crawled and walked hundreds of miles to reach safety. This incredible feat of endurance turned him into a frontier legend.

Death and legacy

Most accounts place Glass's death around 1833 during an attack by Arikara people on the Yellowstone River. His life has since inspired biographies, folk retellings, and film adaptations, cementing his place in American popular culture.

In short

  • Frontiersman and fur trapper in early 19th-century American West
  • Survived a severe grizzly bear mauling in 1823
  • Made a legendary long-distance journey to safety after being abandoned
  • His story inspired biographies, folk retellings, and film adaptations

Quick questions

Who was Hugh Glass?
An American frontiersman, fur trapper, trader, hunter, and explorer best known for surviving a grizzly bear attack.
What is Hugh Glass famous for?
Surviving a bear mauling and then making a long journey to safety after being left for dead.
When did Hugh Glass die?
He is generally reported to have died around 1833, likely during an Arikara attack on the Yellowstone River.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Glass
    Supports: Basic biographical details, occupations, regional activity, and survival story.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hugh-Glass
    Supports: Birth and death dates, frontier occupation, and survival after a bear attack.
  3. Museum of the Mountain Man — https://museumofthemountainman.com/hugh-glass/
    Supports: Frontier career details, scarcity of early-life information, and later death account.
  4. South Dakota Historical Society Foundation — https://www.sdhsf.org/news_events/history_articles.html/title/january-2016-the-legendary-hugh-glass-and-jim-bridger
    Supports: Context for the 1823 expedition involving Glass and Bridger.