Thomas Aubert , originating in Rouen, was a sailor of Dieppe and one of the first French explorers of the Nouveau World. He was the husband of Jeanne Bran.

In 1508, probably in company of Giovanni da Verrazano, it embarked in the capacity as captain for the coast of America on a vessel named " Pensée" equipped by the ship-owner Jean Ango. It explored, probably during a forwarding of fishing, the area of Newfoundland and the mouth of the the St. Lawrence in the current Canada.

The part Is island of Newfoundland had already been discovered a few years before by Breton sailors Dieppois and which fished since the Morue with the broad one. This sector had already been visited in 1506 by the pilot Jean Denis; this last drew up in particular a chart of the explored zone.

After having captured 7 autochtones, Thomas Aubert returned to Dieppe persuaded to be the first to have discovered a passage towards the Asia (dream of any explorer of the moment).

On its return, in 1509, it unloaded in Normandy with on its board 7 Amerindian of the tribe of the Micmacs equipped with their traditional clothing, transporting with them their weapons and their Canoë S and of which the Estienne printer left us a Latin description. Presented to Rouen in 1512, they were baptized and caused near the population and on behalf of the Église an lively interest. In the same way, Thomas Aubert reported that the explored area " could provide rich person Pelleterie S, that the close seas abounded in cod and that the fishing of this fish would be an inexhaustible element of richness by the benefit that it procurerait" .

As of this moment, Louis XII then François I {{er}} then began with missionner navigators to conquer new territories. They sent colonists towards the new world with an aim of making these discoveries their property legitimate. Actually, this policy of colonization was justified more for economic reasons than of legitimation.

In remembering its forwarding of 1508, a street of Montreal bears its name.