Jacques Cartier, French Explorer

Jacques Cartier, French Explorer

Jacques Cartier (December 31, 1491 - September 1, 1557) was a French explorer who claimed Canada for France. He located the entrance to the St. Lawrence on his first voyage, which opened up the greatest waterway for the European penetration of North America. He produced an intelligent estimate of the resources of Canada, both natural and human, with considerable exaggeration of its mineral wealth. While some of his actions toward the St. Lawrence Iroquoians were dishonourable, he did try at times to establish friendship with them and other native peoples living along the St. Lawrence River - an indispensable preliminary to French settlement in their lands. He made three voyages of exploration in dangerous and hitherto unknown waters without losing a ship, entering and departing some 50 undiscovered harbors without serious mishap, Cartier is considered one of the most conscientious explorers of the period. He died in 1557, at the age of 65,during an epidemic, possibly of typhus.

CARTIER

Album / Science Source / New York Public Library

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