Perhaps as early as the 12th Dynasty, Pharaoh Senusret III (1878 BC–1839 BC) may have had a west-east river dug through the Wadi Tumilat, joining the River Nile with the Red Sea. This allowed direct trade with Punt, and, indirectly, linked the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. (It is said that in ancient times the Red Sea reached northward to the Bitter Lakes and Lake Timsah.)

The reliefs of the Punt expedition under Hatshepsut 1470 BC depict seagoing vessels carrying the expeditionary force returning from Punt. This has given rise to the theory that, at the time, a navigable link existed between the Red Sea and the Nile. 

Evidence seems to indicate its existence by the 13th century BC during the time of Ramesses II.

Remnants of this ancient west-east canal, running through the ancient Egyptian cities of Pi-Ramesses, Bubastis and Pithom were discovered by Napoleon Bonaparte's cadre of engineers and cartographers in 1799.

2nd millennium BC
Chairmen of the Suez Canal Authority (1956-present)
Presidents of the Suez Canal Company (1858-1956)
Connections between the shores