Hudson River in e New York state. It rises in the Adirondack Mountains, and flows s to New York Bay, New York City. First explored by Henry Hudson in 1609, it became one of the world's most important waterways. The New York State Barge Canal connects the Hudson with Lake Champlain, the Great Lakes and the St Lawrence River. Length: c.493km (306mi).

Hudson surname of Henry Hudson (c.1565–1611), English explorer. He discovered the North American bay, river, and strait which bear his name. In 1610 he attempted to winter in Hudson Bay, but his crew mutinied and set Hudson and a few companions adrift, never to be seen again.
Hudson's Bay blanket a durable woollen blanket, typically with a coloured border, originally sold by the Hudson Bay Company, and frequently used as material for coats.
Hudson's Bay Company a British colonial trading company set up in 1670 and granted all lands draining into Hudson Bay for purposes of commercial exploitation, principally trade in fur. The company amalgamated with the rival North-West Company in 1821 and handed over control to the new Canadian government in 1870; it is now a Canadian retail and wholesale operation.