1-153-599 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Sebastian le Prestre de Vauban, French military engineer. Vauban (1633-1707) was the foremost military engineer of his time, adept at both designing fortifications and means of breaching them. In all he upgraded the fortifications of some 300 French towns and cities in his career, as well as building 37 entirely new fortresses and fortified military harbours, including Toulon and the citadel at Quebec.