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.