Gaspard de Coligny was a prominent French admiral and a leader of the {Huguenots}, the French Protestant movement during the {French Wars of Religion} in the 16th century. Born in 1519, he became a key figure in the struggle for religious freedom in France, advocating for the rights of Protestants against the Catholic majority. Coligny played a significant role in military campaigns and was known for his strategic acumen. His assassination in 1572, during the {St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre}, marked a turning point in the conflict, leading to increased violence and persecution of {Huguenots} in France.