René-Robert Cavelier, sieur de La Salle

René-Robert Cavelier, sieur de La Salle,  (born Nov. 22, 1643, Rouen, France—died March 19, 1687, near Brazos River [now in Texas, U.S.]), French explorer in North America, who led an expedition down the Illinois and Mississippi rivers and claimed all the region watered by the Mississippi and its tributaries for Louis XIV of France, naming the region “Louisiana.” A few years later, in a luckless expedition seeking the mouth of the Mississippi, he was murdered by his men.

Aspects of the topic René-Robert Cavelier, sieur de La Salle are discussed in the following places at Britannica.

Articles from Britannica encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

Sieur de La Salle - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)

The French explorer known as the Sieur de La Salle was the first European to travel down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico. He claimed for France all the land that was drained by the river.

Sieur de La Salle - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

(1643-1687). The father of the great Louisiana Territory was the French explorer Rene-Robert Cavelier, sieur de La Salle. He was the first European to voyage down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico. As a result of this exploration France laid claim to the entire Mississippi Valley under the name of Louisiana.