Nicolas Perrot (1644–1717), explorer, diplomat, and fur trader, is one of the first white men in the upper Mississippi Valley.

Born in France, he comes to New France around 1660 with Jesuits and has the opportunity to visit Indian tribes and learn their languages.

He forms a fur trading company around 1667 and undertakes expeditions to various tribes and land in and around present-day Wisconsin.

He is sometimes the first white man seen by the native peoples and is generally well received.