Louis Antoine de Bougainville was a French explorer and navigator born on November 12, 1729. He is best known for leading the first French expedition to circumnavigate the globe from 1766 to 1769. Bougainville's journey provided valuable information about the Pacific Islands and contributed to European knowledge of the region. In addition to his exploration, Bougainville was also a soldier and served in the Seven Years' War. He played a significant role in the development of French colonial policy in the Pacific. His writings, including "Voyage autour du monde," detail his experiences and observations during his travels.