PONTGRAVE, Sieur de (pong-grah-vay), French sailor, born in St. Male, France, in the latter half of the 16th century ; died there probably in the first half of the 17th. He was one of the most enterprising merchants in St. Male, and a skilful navigator. He had made several voyages to Tadousac, Canada, and believed that the development of the fur-trade would lead to great wealth, especially if it were under the control of a single person. With this object he proposed to Chauvin, a sea-captain, to obtain exclusive privileges from the court in connection with this branch of commerce, and, on the latter's success, Pontgrave equipped several vessels and sailed with him for Canada in 1599. He wished to form a settlement at Three Rivers, but, Chauvin objecting, he returned to France in 1600. In 1603 the king granted him letters-patent to continue his discoveries in Canada and establish colonies, and the merchants of Rouen fitted out an expedition under his direction. He sailed on 15 March, Samuel Champlain being on board one of his ships, and he accompanied Champlain in his voyage up St. Lawrence river. He sailed again to Canada the same year, commanding a ship under De Monts, and later was appointed to transfer the latter colony to Port Royal in Acadia. Pontgrave devoted himself to the welfare of the new settlement, and did much to render it successful, though he was displaced in his office. He returned to France, but was sent out in 1608 to establish a trading-post at Tadousac in conjunction with Champlain. He returned with the latter in September, 1609, and two vessels were fitted out, one of which was con-tided to Pontgrave, who reached Canada in April. He was again in France early in 1613, and commanded the vessel in which Champlain sailed from France in March. After reaching Montreal he separated from the latter, and descended to Quebec. He is said by Charlevoix to have returned to France in the following year, but this is doubtful. He had charge of the interests of the Sieur de Caen for some time in Quebec, but ill health obliged him to go to France in 1623. "This was a real loss to New France," says Charlevoix, "which owes much to him." He was in Quebec in 1628 in the interest of De Monts and his society, and counselled resist-ante to the English.