Cupet, Pierre Paul (June 1, 1859 - 1907)

Pierre Paul Cupet (June 1, 1859 - 1907) was a French cartographer, photographer, and military officer. Cupet was born in Sermaize-les-Bains, Marne, the son of a local gendarme. At 18, with a thirst for adventure, he entered the École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr, where he exhibited aptitude at surveying and cartography. He left Saint-Cyr as lieutenant and was immediately sent with the Zouaves (light infantry) to Algeria. Afterwards, now a Captain of the 3rd Zouaves, he was sent to French Indochina where he participated in the Tonkin Campaign (1884 - 1885). From July 1887, he was part of the Franco-Siamese Commission organized to settle border between French Indochina and its neighbors. He became a close confident of Auguste Jean-Marie Pavie (May 31, 1847 - June 7, 1925) and participated in several of the 'Missions Pavie', where he was responsible for cartography. He was also a hobbyist photographer, and recorded friends, locals, and sights from his journeys. He returned to France to become battalion commander in the 56th Zouaves and then lieutenant colonel in 158th Zouaves. Was made an office of the Légion d'Honneur in 1905. He died in Montmeyran, in the Drôme, in 1907.