Born July 25, 1839,
St. Etienne, France
Died December 21, 1873,
Near Hanoi, Vietnam

As a supporter of French imperialism, Francis Garnier believed he could advance French power and commercial interests by exploring the Mekong River in what is now Vietnam. Garnier was received as a hero by the French government upon the completion of his first expedition, which covered 7,000 miles and added to European knowledge of Southeast Asia. However, he was blamed for initiating a series of events that led to the French retreat from Hanoi.

Marie-Joseph-François Garnier was born the son of an army officer in St. Etienne, France, on July 25, 1839. The family was strongly traditional and pro-monarchy. After attending the lycée in Montpellier, Garnier went on to the French Naval Academy, where he graduated in 1857. The following year he took part in a French naval cruise to Brazil, Uruguay, Cape Horn, Chile, and...