Jacques-Yves Cousteau

Jacques-Yves Cousteau.Stock Connection/Superstock

Jacques-Yves Cousteau,  (born June 11, 1910, Saint-André-de-Cubzac, France—died June 25, 1997Paris), French naval officer and ocean explorer, known for his extensive underseas investigations. He also was involved with the development of equipment used in underwater diving.


Cousteau served in World War II as a gunnery officer in France and later was a member of the French Resistance against the German occupation of the country. He subsequently was awarded the Legion of Honour for his espionage work. Cousteau’s experiments with underwater filmmaking began during the war. Cousteau helped found the French navy’s Undersea Research Group in 1945. He also was involved in conducting oceanographic research at a centre in Marseille, France. When the war ended, he continued working for the French navy, heading the Undersea Research Group at Toulon.

