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Louis Jolliet was born near Quebec City in 1645. He taught at the Jesuit Seminary in Quebec. In 1667 he went to France. He was the first important explorer born in North America from European ancestors.Jacques Marquette, also called Father Marquette, was born in Laon, France, in 1637. He was a Jesuit priest. Then, In 1673, Jolliet crossed Lake Michigan and explored the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers. The first Indians they ran into were the Illinois, who were very friendly to the explorers.
The biggest exploration Marquette and Jolliet are known for is the French expedition down the Mississippi River in 1673. They helped get the Mississippi River area more well known.
In 1669, the people of Jolliet's town heard a rumor about there being a river in America. Jolliet was given position of leader of an exploring team. Jolliet asked Marquette to be the chaplain of the group. With 5 other men, they started their journey. During the trip they decided they would also convert everyone there to Christianity. They followed the Mississippi river southward, past the mouth of the Arkansas River. They were the First Europeans to go to the Mississippi River. They did all of this from 1669 - 1671.
In October, 1674, Marquette went back to the Illinois, hoping to live and preach among the Kaskaskians.
Jolliet had written a journal of his exploration but lost it when his canoe tipped over on the Montreal rapids. Sadly, the only information left is a short journal for Marquette.
In 1664, Marquette made another journey, exploring the coast of Labrador and visiting the Eskimos.
Jolliet died in 1700, while Marquette died in 1675. They both lived great lives.