Born 1491,
Saint-Malo, France
Died September 1, 1557,
Saint-Malo, France

During the sixteenth century European navigators had determined that the continents of North and South America were a barrier to a direct sea route from Europe to Asia. Nevertheless, it was still believed that a natural waterway could be found through this landmass, so numerous explorers continued to search for the route, which became known as the Northwest Passage. Among them was Jacques Cartier, a French navigator.

Royal commission to explore the New World

Cartier was born in 1491 in the French port of Saint-Malo in the province of Brittany. Little is known about his early life, but it is clear that he made several sea voyages. According to some accounts, he may have been a crew member in two expeditions to America led by Giovanni da Verrazano (see entry) in 1524 and 1528.

In 1532 the Bishop of Saint-Malo proposed to King...