Born 1741,
Guo, France
Died c. 1788,
South Pacific

Jean-François de Galaup, comte de La Pérouse, was born at Guo near Albi in southern France. He entered the navy at 15. In 1759, while serving on board the Formidable, he was wounded and captured by the British during a naval battle off the coast of Brittany. After his recovery he served in the Seven Years’ War, or the French and Indian War, off the east coast of North America.

Fights in American Revolution

In 1775 La Pérouse was promoted to lieutenant. In 1780 he achieved the rank of captain and served in the American Revolution after France became allied with the newly formed United States. During that war, he distinguished himself by commanding an attack that took...