born May 12, 1626, Ath, Belg.
died after 1701, Rome?, Italy
French missionary and explorer.
A Franciscan, he traveled to Canada in 1675 with La Salle . They explored the Great Lakes region, founding Fort Crèvecoeur (near modern Peoria, Ill.) in 1680. When La Salle returned for supplies, Hennepin and others explored the upper Mississippi River. They were captured by Sioux Indians and taken to a site Hennepin named the Falls of St. Anthony (later Minneapolis); after four months they were rescued by Daniel DuLhut . Hennepin returned to France in 1682 and wrote an account of his journeys.