Who was Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville?

Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville et d'Ardillières (July 16, 1661 to July 9, 1706) was a Canadian-born French naval officer and explorer who became one of the most successful French commanders in North America. Born at Ville-Marie (now Montreal) into the prominent Le Moyne family, d'Iberville was the third son of Charles Le Moyne, the founder of one of the most important Canadian-born families in New France. Several of d'Iberville's brothers also served in the French military, including Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, later founder of New Orleans.

D'Iberville's career began with raids against English Hudson Bay posts. He led successful expeditions to James Bay and Hudson Bay in 1686, capturing English forts including Moose Factory, Rupert House, and Albany Factory. In 1690 he led the capture of Fort Sainte-Anne (Fort Albany). His most spectacular naval engagement was the September 5, 1697 Battle of Hudson Bay, in which his ship Pélican defeated three English ships (Hampshire, Dering, and Hudson's Bay) at the mouth of the Hayes River. The Pélican sank shortly after the battle, but d'Iberville captured York Factory three days later.

D'Iberville also led the devastating Newfoundland campaign of 1696 to 1697. With about 125 Canadian militia and Indigenous allies, d'Iberville and his brother Jacques destroyed nearly every English settlement on the Avalon Peninsula, including the burning of St. John's in November 1696. Over 700 English settlers were killed or captured and Ferryland, Bay Bulls, and other major settlements were destroyed.

D'Iberville's last major command was the founding of the French colony of Louisiana on the Gulf Coast in 1699. He established Fort Maurepas at present-day Ocean Springs, Mississippi in February 1699, the first permanent French settlement on the Gulf Coast. He explored the lower Mississippi and confirmed that La Salle's 1682 claim could be sustained from a coastal base. D'Iberville's brother Bienville founded Mobile in 1702 and New Orleans in 1718. D'Iberville himself died of yellow fever on July 9, 1706 at Havana, Cuba while planning a campaign against the British colonies of South Carolina. The Le Moyne family produced several more notable military and exploration figures, including Joseph Le Moyne de Sérigny and the third brother Bienville. The d'Iberville Boulevard in Montreal commemorates his name.