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Dictionary definition: La Salle, René-Robert Cavalier, sieur de
- Article from:
- A Dictionary of World History
Copyright© A Dictionary of World History 2000, originally published by Oxford University Press 2000. (Hide copyright information)
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La Salle, René-Robert Cavalier, sieur de
(1643–87) French explorer in North America. He went to Canada in 1666 and in 1682, after exploring the Great Lakes, descended the Mississippi River to its mouth. He took possession of the whole valley, and named it Louisiana in honour of his king,
LOUIS XIV
. On his return to Paris he was appointed Viceroy of North America and given authority to ...