Never did a Governor get so near the people as did Sir George.

Old settlers tell how when Sir George arrived every grievance, disaster, suspicion, or bit of gossip was faithfully carried to him, and his patience and ingenuity were freely exercised in "jollying" the people and giving them condescending attention.
Sir George married in time, and on occasion brought Lady Simpson, who was a native of the country, to visit the Red River Settlement.

Her presence was taken as a compliment by the people.

Sir George Simpson, like many of the Hudson's Bay Company, had among all his business engagements the taste for literature.

He encouraged the formation of libraries at the several trading posts, and in his letters throws in a remark about Sir Walter Scott, or Blackwood's last magazine, or other living topic, although the means of communication made literature often months late even on the banks of the Red River.