Henri de Tonti’s journey began on the sun-baked shores of 17th-century Italy, but the life he would make—its trials, its triumphs—played out far from the Mediterranean, in the wild heart of North America.
Lorenzo de Tonti (1602–1684) was a Neapolitan banker who devised the “tontine,” a type of life insurance involving subscriptions and shares. His son Henri (1649–1704) was born in Gaeta, in the Kingdom of Naples, where he inherited his father’s ambition but lived in exile in France. There, the young man remade himself as a soldier, a survivor, and a man who carried an iron hand into history.
Soldier Turned Explorer
Lorenzo’s innovative financial scheme brought him notoriety and misfortune. Political winds in Naples turned against him. The family found refuge in France, where young Henri grew up navigating the glitter and uncertainty of Louis XIV’s court. It was in this world of opportunity that he would learn resilience.
Brian D'Ambrosio
Author
Brian D’Ambrosio is a prolific writer of nonfiction books and articles. He specializes in histories, biographies, and profiles of actors and musicians. One of his previous books, "Warrior in the Ring," a biography of world champion boxer Marvin Camel, is currently being adapted for big-screen treatment.
