François Levaillant (1753 – 1824) was a French author, explorer, and naturalist.
Levaillant was instrumental in creating a large, painted cotton map of South Africa for the French monarch, King Louis XVI, measuring 3m by 2m in size.
Recognized as the first modern ornithologist and taxidermist, Levaillant produced watercolors and maps, and captured his adventures in a number of volumes on his return to France. In these, he painted a picture of the peoples, flora and fauna of South Africa at the time.
(image from Wikipedia; information from Wikipedia and "A Map Fit for a King")
