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Article: Robert Cavelier La Salle, sieur de
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- The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition
CopyrightThe Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press. (Hide copyright information)
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Robert Cavelier La Salle, sieur de , 1643-87, French explorer in North America, one of the most celebrated explorers and builders of New France.
He entered a Jesuit novitiate as a boy but later left the religious life. In 1666 he went to Canada, where he developed a seigniory at Lachine. In 1673 the governor of New France, Frontenac, made him commandant of Fort Frontenac (see
Kingston
, Ont., Canada). After a visit to France, where he was granted a patent of nobility, La Salle began (1675) to develop the trade at the post. In 1677 he was in France again and obtained a patent to build forts, explore, and trade. When he returned, he brought with him Henri de
Tonti
, who was his ...