Jacques Cartier was the explorer who sailed for France trying to find the Northwest Passage but instead ended up going through the St. Lawrence River and founding New France which is now known as Canada. Jacques Cartier was born on 31st of December 1491 and died on 1st September 1557. He was the first European who is credited for having mapped the Gulf of St. Lawrence and also the shores of St. Lawrence River. He improved his social status by marrying Mary Catherine des Granches.
