“We set sail again trying to discover more wonders of this new world.”
Born: December 31, 1491
Third Voyage: May 1541
Death: September 1, 1557
First Voyage: April 20, 1534
Second Voyage: May 1535
Jacques Cartier
(1491-1557)
Born
Jacques Cartier was born December 31, 1491 inSaint-Malo, France,
First Voyage
In 1534, King Francis I of France sent Cartier on an expedition to the New World, the northern lands of North America, in search of riches such as gold and spices and the long sought after route to Asia.
Cartier sailed in April 1534 with two ships and arrived in Newfoundland after 20 days. Cartier explored the west coast of Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, and the Gulf St. Lawrence. He came upon an Indigenous village and kidnapped two sons of Chief Donnacona and brought them back to France. King Francis was impressed with Cartier's discovery and sent him back on a second expedition.
Second Voyage
In May 1535, Cartier sailed again on his second expedition. With the help of Donnacona's two sons acting as guides, Cartier was able to find the St. Lawrence River and sailed as far as Quebec and settled there. Cartier explored what is now Montreal and was generously welcomed by the Iroquois there. Despite their kindness, Cartier again kidnappedseveral Iroquois chiefs and returned to France. Cartier told the king that he believed great riches lay farther west as well as a possible route to Asia.
Third Voyage
King Francis sent Cartier on his third voyage in May 1541. He sailed with five ships and was set to claim the land surrounding theSt. Lawrence River on behalf of France. Near Quebec, Cartier found what he thought was gold and diamonds. Rather than settle the area as directed, Cartier snuck away, abandoned the settlement and sailed for France with his supposed riches. Once in France, Cartier was dismayed to find thathis gold and diamonds were worthless. France did not explore these lands for another fifty years.
Death
Cartier died onSeptember 1, 1557, in Saint-Malo, France.
Claim to Fame
French mariner and explorer Jacques Cartier is famous for leading three expeditions into what is now Canada and claiming the land for France.
He is credited with naming Canada, derived by the Huron-Iroquois word forsettlement (kanata). He is also remembered for abandoning his settlement and his inhumane treatment of the Iroquois. His exploration led to the eventual colonization of Canada by France.