He was a major figure in the French attempts to colonize Florida .
Jean Ribault ( also spelled Ribaut ) ( 1520 -- October 12 , 1565 ) was a French naval officer , navigator , and a colonizer of what would become the southeastern United States .
Jean Ribault was a major figure in the French attempts to colonize Florida .
Jean Ribault ( also spelled Ribaut ) ( 1520 -- October 12 , 1565 ) was a French naval officer , navigator , and a colonizer of what would become the southeastern United States .