Robert Cavalier de LaSelle was born in France in 1643. He emigrated to New France and after exploring the region settled in Montreal in 1666. Three years later he sent out on a expedition that led to him discovering the Ohio River.

In 1682 LaSelle sailed down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico and claimed the entire territory for France. He named the territory Louisiana in honor of King Louis XIV. He then moved to Texas where he established a French colony. Robert Cavalier de LaSelle was murdered by his own men in 1687.