Rene-Robert Cavelier

About

French surveyor who explored much of Mississippi River basin and claimed it for France.

Before Fame

He was a Jesuit priest but left the order, and later became opposed to it.

Trivia

Hearing natives' tales of a great river called Ohio, he went out in search of it.

Family Life

He was raised alongside his brother and never married.

Associated With

The lands he claimed for France were not French for long-–Thomas Jefferson bought them with the Louisiana Purchase.