Jacques le Moyne de Morgues Biography

Jacques le Moyne de Morgues

artist, cartographer
Born: c. 1533
Birthplace: Dieppe, France

A French cartographer (mapmaker) and painter, Le Moyne de Morgues produced the first map of Florida. His paintings and sketches are among the first European illustrations of the New World. Le Moyne de Morgues arrived in Florida in 1564 with an expedition led by the French Huguenot explorer René de Laudonnière. Members of the expedition founded a colony, which was invaded in 1565 by the Spaniards. Le Moyne de Morgues managed to escape, returned to France, and later settled in London. There he began working for the explorer Sir Walter Raleigh, who encouraged him to write and illustrate the story of his journey to the New World.

Died: c. 1588