Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du Lhut
Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du Lhut, was a French explorer and military officer born around 1639 in Saint-Germain-Laval, France. Coming from a family of minor nobility in the Lyons region, he began his military career in the French Armed Forces, participating in notable battles such as the Battle of Seneffe in 1674. His interest in New France, the French colony in North America, prompted him to return in 1675, where he engaged in the fur trade and formed alliances with local Sioux leaders. Du Lhut played a significant role in fostering peace among tribes and promoting trade with the French, expanding French claims in the upper Mississippi region through his exploratory missions.
Throughout his career, he established trading posts, including in the Lake Superior area, and contributed to military efforts against the Iroquois. Du Lhut's expeditions made him the first known European to explore what is now Duluth, Minnesota, a city bearing an anglicized version of his name. He continued his efforts in diplomacy and trade until his retirement in 1695, due to health issues, and he passed away in Montreal in 1710. His legacy is marked by his contributions to French colonial interests and his relationships with various First Nations tribes in the Great Lakes region.
Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du Lhut
Explorer
- Born: ca. 1639
- Birthplace: Saint-Germain-Laval, France
- Died: February 25, 1710
- Place of death: Montreal, Québec
Occupation: Daniel Greysolon du Lhut was a French Canadian trader, soldier, and explorer. During the 1600s and 1700s, du Lhut’s expeditions added new lands to the territorial holdings of the French empire in the Upper Great Lakes area of North America. As one of the first Europeans in the region, du Lhut became the namesake of Duluth, Minnesota.
Early Life and Military Career
Daniel Greysolon du Lhut was born at Saint-Germain-Laval, France, around 1639. His family was part of the minor nobility in the Lyons region. As a young man, du Lhut joined the French Armed Forces. He was an ensign in a local regiment as of 1657 and later became a military gendarme. Du Lhut saw combat action in 1674, when his regiment opposed the Dutch army at the Battle of Seneffe.
Explorations in New France
During his military career, du Lhut gained an interest in New France, the French colony in North America. He visited the colony prior to 1674, and developed plans to become part of the bustling fur-trading enterprise in the region. In 1675, du Lhut returned to New France and settled in Montreal. There, he entered into partnerships with local Sioux leaders.
Believing that the best way to increase trade was to foster peace, du Lhut set out on a mission on September 1, 1678. His goal was to help negotiate a peace agreement between the Sioux and other local tribes, and to encourage them to trade with the French instead of the English. Du Lhut was generally successful in these tasks. As he traveled, he also built posts and claimed lands in the name of French King Louis XIV. Du Lhut’s expeditions thus expanded French colonial claims throughout the upper Mississippi region.
Expansion and Conflicts
In 1681, du Lhut returned to his home in Montreal. At this time, critics of du Lhut and other fur-trade entrepreneurs accused them of overstepping their authority and mismanaging business. Du Lhut went to Québec and then back to France to defend his reputation. Successful in quieting his critics, du Lhut returned to Canada.
In 1683, du Lhut was instructed by the colonial governor to pacify conflicts with local tribes and to promote trade in the Lake Superior region. Du Lhut and his followers founded trading posts at Detroit, Lake Nipigon, and Lake Superior. Du Lhut also served at Fort Michilimackinac and established a military stockade, Fort St. Joseph, on the St. Clair River between Lake Erie and Lake Huron.
When war broke out between the French and the Iroquois in 1687, 1689, and 1696, du Lhut commanded the garrisons at Fort Frontenac. He distinguished himself in combat in 1689, when his unit defeated twenty-two Iroquois warriors at Lac des Deux-Montagnes. Subsequently, du Lhut was promoted to captain.
During breaks in the fighting, he led further expeditions and trading missions around Lake Superior. He became the first known European to explore the land at the head of Lake Superior, which is now Duluth, Minnesota. The name “Duluth” was derived from an anglicized version of du Lhut’s name.
Death and Legacy
Du Lhut continued to promote trade and peace among many of the First Nations tribes living in the Great Lakes area. In 1695, suffering debilitating physical ailments, he retired from his life of exploration and military service. He died in Montreal on February 25, 1710. Du Lhut was buried in the Recollet Chapel and is remembered for his service to France and friendship with the Sioux.
Bibliography
Backerud, Thomas K. “Daniel Greysolon Forged Peace with Native Peoples, Expanded French Reach in Minnesota.” MinnPost. MinnPost, 30 Apr. 2013. Web. 6 Aug. 2013.
“Daniel Greysolon Dulhut 1678–79.” Virtual Museum of New France. Canadian Museum of Civilization Corp. Web. 6 Aug. 2013.
Greysolon Sieur du Lhut, Daniel. Memoir on the Sioux Country. 1917. Madison: Wisconsin Hist. Society, 2003. Print.
Minnesota Historical Society. “Sieur du Luth: The Explorer between Mille Lacs and Lake Superior.” Collections of the Minnesota Historical Society Duluth: Minnesota Historical Society, 1872. Print.
Sommer, Lawrence J. Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du Lhut: A Tercentenary Tribute. Duluth: St. Louis County Historical Society, 1979. Print.