Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, born the son of an Antwerp mapseller, travelled
extensively throughout Europe, Asia Minor, southern Asia, the East Indies
and Japan making detailed observations as he went. Tavernier returned to
Europe, where he was rewarded by Louis XIV for his efforts in promoting
French trade with Asia, settled at Aubonne in Switzerland (where he
purchased the barony), before setting out again for the East. However,
debts forced him to sell his property. and he then moved to Brandenburg
where the Elector awarded him the post of director of the Brandenburg
Company for trading with the East.
