Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, was a French explorer born in 1643. He is best known for his expeditions in North America, particularly for claiming the vast territory of Louisiana for France. La Salle traveled extensively along the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River, seeking to expand French influence in the region. In 1682, La Salle reached the mouth of the Mississippi River and named the area Louisiana in honor of King Louis XIV. His explorations contributed significantly to European knowledge of the interior of North America, although his later attempts to establish a settlement in Texas ended in failure.