Joliet, (or Jolliet) Louis (1645-1700)

French-born Canadian explorer. He and Jesuit missionary Jacques Marquette were the first to successfully chart the course of the Mississippi River down to its junction with the Arkansas River. They returned to Canada by way of the Illinois territory.

Born in Québec, Canada, Joliet was sent by the Canadian governor on an extensive exploration of the Great Lakes 1669. After his expedition along the Mississippi, he later explored Labrador and the Hudson Bay.

The city of Joliet, Illinois, is named in his honor.