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Jacques Cartier

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Explorer

The Resume

    (December 31, 1491-September 1, 1557)
    Born in St. Malo, France
    Led three voyages that explored the St. Lawrence Gulf and St. Lawrence River (1534-42)
    Claimed Canada for France

Why he might be annoying:

    He gave Canada its name from the Huron-Iroquois word 'kanata,' meaning 'village,' which he misinterpreted as their name for the entire land.
    He said of Newfoundland, 'I am inclined to regard this land as the one God gave to Cain.'
    He kidnapped the sons of an Iroquois chief.
    The settlement he established during his third voyage was abandoned two years later due to disease, poor weather and hostile natives.
    He sent home two ships loaded with gold and diamonds -- which turned out to be iron pyrite and quartz crystals, inspiring a French phrase, 'As false as a Canadian diamond.'

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was one of the first European explorers to acknowledge that the New World was not part of Asia.
    He led three voyages in previously unknown waters without losing a ship.
    The Literary Review of Canada named his account of his discoveries the most important book in Canadian history (2005).
    His ship, Grande Hermine, is featured on the flag of St. Pierre and Miquelon.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2021, Out of 7 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 7 Votes: 28.57% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 9 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 10 Votes: 30.0% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying