Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza
Italo-French explorer
Years: 1852 - 1905
Pietro Paolo Savorgnan di Brazzà, best known as Pierre Paul François Camille Savorgnan de Brazza (26 January 1852 - 14 September 1905), is an Italo-French explorer, born in the Papal States and later naturalized as a Frenchman.
With the backing of the Société de Géographie de Paris, he opens up for France entry along the right bank of the Congo that eventually leads to French colonies in Central Africa.
His easy manner and great physical charm, as well as his pacific approach among Africans, are his trademarks.
Under French colonial rule, the capital of the Republic of the Congo is named Brazzaville after him and the name is retained by the post-colonial rulers.
