Jules Dumont d'Urville was a French explorer and naval officer who made significant contributions to the exploration of Antarctica and the Pacific Ocean. He was born in 1790 in Normandy, and joined the French navy at the age of 15. In 1826, he set sail on his first expedition, which was a scientific voyage to the South Pacific and Antarctica. During this voyage, he discovered and named many new islands and coastal areas, including the Adélie Coast in Antarctica.
In 1837, d'Urville set out on his second expedition, which focused on exploring the Pacific Ocean. During this voyage, he discovered and named many new islands, including the Gambier Islands, the Marquesas Islands, and the Society Islands. He also made the first complete map of the Pacific Ocean, which was used by later explorers for many years.
D'Urville's third and final expedition was in 1839-1840, during which he explored the coast of Antarctica and discovered the Dumont d'Urville Sea. He also made the first landing on the mainland of Antarctica and named it Terre Adélie.
D'Urville died in 1842, but his legacy lives on through the many places that bear his name, including the Dumont d'Urville Sea and the Adélie Coast. His explorations and scientific discoveries have made him an important figure in the history of Antarctic and Pacific exploration.