Nicolet, Jean

Nicolet, Jean

(zhäN nēkôlā`), 1598?–1642, French explorer in the Old Northwest. He came to New France with Samuel de ChamplainChamplain, Samuel de
, 1567–1635, French explorer, the chief founder of New France.

After serving in France under Henry of Navarre (King Henry IV) in the religious wars, Champlain was given command of a Spanish fleet sailing to the West Indies, Mexico, and the
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 in 1618. In 1634, under the direction of Champlain, he took a notable voyage west in search of the Northwest PassageNorthwest Passage,
water routes through the Arctic Archipelago, N Canada, and along the northern coast of Alaska between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Even though the explorers of the 16th cent.
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, exploring Lake Michigan, Green Bay, and the Fox River. He was drowned on a trip to Trois Rivières.