Ferdinand Marie , Vicomte de Lesseps GCSI ( 19 November 1805 - 7 December 1894 ) was a French diplomat and later developer of the Suez Canal , which in 1869 joined the Mediterranean and Red Seas , substantially reducing sailing distances and times between the West and the East .
Ferdinand Marie , Vicomte ( English : Viscount ) de Lesseps , GCSI ( 19 November 1805 - 7 December 1894 ) was the French developer of the Suez Canal , which joined the Mediterranean and Red Seas in 1869 .