Louis Jolliet

(http://www.quebec400.gc.ca/histoires-stories/images/louis-jolliet2.jpg)

Louis was a Canadian explorer. The first famous explorer born in Canada of the history of the new-France. He discovered The Mississippi River with Father Jacques Marquette in 1673.

Louis Jolliet is the son of Jean Jolliet and of Marie d'Abancourt. He studied in the Seminaire of Quebec for ten years. He wanted to be a priest. In 1667, he left the seminaire and left for France. In 1668 he went back to Quebec.

In 1672, Louis Jolliet was sent to discover the Mississippi River by Jean Talon who had heard about it. Louis accepted enthusiastically but the state did not subsidize his expedition. Louis Jolliet was obliged of collect money himself for the voyage.

They left on May 1673. They made more than 800 km and discovered finally the Mississippi on June 15th. In September, 1673, they were the first whites to cross the river Chicago. They meet hostile tribes and decided to turn back. They had 1100 km has to make before the mouth of the Mississippi River.

Louis Jolliet is my hero because what he made is not important, but, that helped a lot.