Jolliet, Louis

(1645-1700)

   Born at Quebec; son of a wagon-maker in the employ of the Company of New France. Educated by the Jesuits, and took minor orders, but renounced his clerical vocation to engage in the fur trade. Sent by Talon to discover copper-mines on Lake Superior, and met La Salle on his return journey, 1669, near the site of the city of Hamilton. In 1673 set out with Jacques Marquette (q.v.) to discover the Mississippi. Leaving Michilimackinac on May 17, they coasted the north shore of Lake Michigan, to the foot of Green Bay, ascended Fox River to Lake Winnebago, and descended the Wisconsin to the Mississippi, which they reached a month after leaving Michilimackinac. Descended the great river, passing the mouths of the Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, and Arkansas, and turned back from a village of the Arkansas Indians on July 17; returning to Lake Michigan by way of the Illinois. Jolliet was unfortunate enough to lose the records of his journey at the foot of the Lachine rapids, almost within sight of Montreal. Made a journey to Hudson Bay in 1679; and the following year received a grant of the Island of Anticosti, where he settled with his family. In 1694 explored the coast of Labrador. On his return made royal pilot for the St. Lawrence, and hydrographer of the colony.

   Index: F Discoverer of Mississippi, 155. WM Descends Mississippi, 19. L Follows course of Mississippi, 11; abandons priestly career and becomes explorer, 59; his exploration of Mississippi, 146; his burial, 147.

   Bib.: Parkman, La Salle; Faillon, Colonie Française en Canada; Margry, Découvertes et Établissements des Français; Gagnon, Louis Jolliet. See alsoMarquette.