BRAZZA, PIERRE - PAUL - FRAN cOIS - CAM I LLE, Comte de (1S25—). A French explorer. whose real Hanle is Brazza-Savo•gnani, horn in Come. Ile was educated at the French Naval Academy. and after becoming a naturalized French eitizee, entered the navy in 1S75. In the same year he obtained a subsidy from the Government, to en able him to explore the Upper Ogowai, in which expedition he readied the sources of the Alima River. on his return he learned of Stanley's explorations upon the Congo, and determined to open up, by way of the Ogowai and Alima rivers, a route parallel to the Congo, which should join that river below the Rapids. In IS79 he founded two stations as bases of supplies for his new route, one (Franceville) on the Upper Ogowai, the other (Brazz-aville) on the Congo itself. In lbSO he made a treaty with King Slakoko, who put his possessions under French protection, and ceded to Brazza the site for his station, Brazza ville. Sonic little while later he discovered it route by way of the Niari River which connected the village Ntambo with the coast. In 1882 he
returned to Europe, but went back to Africa the following year. with the rank of lieutenant-com mander. Ile then definitely undertook to make practical this route from the Congo to the sea by means of the Ogowai and Alima. Ile estab lished a series of stations, completed his explora tions of the rivers, and won over the natives to French allegiance. In IS86 he was made Com missioner-General of the Government in French East Africa. Reappointed in 1887, he inau gurated various reforms and introduced steam launches on the Congo and the Ogowai. Illness compelled him to return to France, but in 1890 he accepted the appointment of Commissioner General of the entire French Congo, with Gabun uncler his direct authority. In 1891 he made further explorations of the interior; and from then until I SO7, when he went hack to France, lie was most active in the support of the French colonies, which lie, more than any one else, had been instrumental in founding.