Sébastien Pontault de Beaulieu

Sébastien Pontault de Beaulieu (1612–1674)[1] was a French engineer, who is considered to be the first military topographer, or rather the inventor of that art, during the reign of Louis XIV.

[2] Pontault went into the army at the age of fifteen, and behaved with so much spirit at the siege of Rochelle, that the king gave him the post of commissary of artillery, even though he was so young.

He was afterwards present at most of the battles and siege, which he has described, and did not quit a military life until the loss of an arm and other wounds, with the approach of old age, rendered retirement necessary.

[5] It was Pontault's practice to follow the army, and construct upon the spot plans of the battles and sieges, with historical and perspective accompaniments.

Pontault died in 1674; but the work was completed to the above date at the expense of his niece, the widow of the sieur Des Roches.