Nicolas Baudin

About

French naval officer who explored Australia's coast with his partner Louis-Claude Desaulses De Freycinet.

Before Fame

He took his first post as a cabin boy on a sailing ship at 15, and in his early 20s joined up as a quartermaster on another ship.

Trivia

He was the first European to safely bring samples of Australian flora and fauna back to the mainland.

Family Life

He was raised by common merchants.

Associated With

While exploring Australia, he ran into the famous explorer Matthew Flinders. Their meeting place became known as Encounter Bay.