François de Razilly was a French nobleman of the 17th century who led the colonial enterprise to found "France Équinoxiale

France Équinoxiale

Equinoctial France was the contemporary name given to the colonization efforts of France in the 17th century in South America, around the line of Equator, before "tropical" had fully gained its modern meaning: Equinoctial means in Latin "of equal nights", i.e., on the Equator, where the duration of...

". He headed a colonial party of about 500 to an island which would become the city of São Luís do Maranhão. He arrived in the island in August 1612.

He was the brother of two other famous sailors and explorers, Isaac de Razilly

Isaac de Razilly

Isaac de Razilly was a member of the French nobility appointed a knight of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem at the age of 18. He was born at the Château d'Oiseaumelle in the Province of Touraine, France. A member of the French navy, he served for many years during which he played an important...

 and Claude de Razilly

Claude de Razilly

Claude de Razilly, also Claude de Launay-Razilly was a French Navy officer. He was the brother of François de Razilly and Isaac de Razilly.Claude de Razilly fought in the Siege of Saint-Martin-de-Ré in 1627 and the Siege of La Rochelle...

.