Bio-facts for New World Explorers
Christopher Columbus
The following biography information provides basic facts about the life Christopher
Columbus:
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Nationality - Born in Italy. Lived in Portugal and in Spain. Patrons - King
Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain
Lifespan - 1451 - 1506
Family - Respectable, but impoverished family. Christopher Columbus was the
eldest of five children. Christopher Columbus had two sons by different mothers.
His heir was Diego Columbus (1480 - 1526). His second and favorite son was
Ferdinand, better known as Fernando ( 1488 - 1539)
Education - Limited due to lack of money in the family
Career - Explorer and Navigator
Famous for discovering the New World, yet he died thinking he had reached the
Indies. A man called Regiomontanus was famous as a Medieval Scientist,
Mathematician and Astronomer. His book Ephemerides was used by Christopher
Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci to measure longitudes in their explorations of the
New World.
The Ships of Christopher Columbus - Explorer and Navigator
The names of the Ships of Christopher Columbus:
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The Nina
The Pinta
The Santa Maria
Facts & History about the Early life of Christopher Columbus - Explorer and Navigator
The following are facts and dates in a timeline format telling the story about the early life
and history of Christopher Columbus:
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1451 Christopher Columbus was born in the Italian port of Genoa, the son of a wool
merchant called Domenico Colombo
His mother was Susanna Fontanarossa, the daughter of a woollens merchant.
Christopher Columbus had three younger brothers, Bartolomeo, Giovanni
Pellegrino, and Giacomo, and a sister, Bianchinetta Columbus
1467 Christopher Columbus travelled to Iceland when he was sixteen years old
1470 The Columbus family moved to Savona
Christopher Columbus travelled the seas as a pirate, or Privateer, attacking ships
belonging to the Moors
1476 Christopher Columbus ship is sunk in a battle off Portugal, but he swims
ashore
1477 Christopher Columbus joined his brother Bartholomew who worked as a
cartographer, in Lisbon
1479 Christopher Columbus married wealthy Felipa Perestrello Moniz, a daughter
from a noble Portuguese family
 Felipa's father was Bartolomeu Perestrello an explorer who had been
involved with the discovery of the Madeira Islands ( Bartolomeu Perestrello
had died when Felipa was a young girl)
 Felipa gave Christopher Columbus Bartolomeu Perestrello's charts of the
winds and currents of the Portuguese possessions in the Atlantic
1480 Christopher Columbus and Felipa had a son who they named Diego Colon
1484 Christopher Columbus failed to get the King of Portugal to back his plan to
search for a fast trade route to the Indies
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1485 Christopher Columbus wife Felipa dies of consumption
1485 Christopher Columbus moves to Cadiz in Spain opening another shop
supplying maps and charts
1486 Columbus begins his relationship with Dona Beatriz Enriquez de Arana, a lady
of a noble family from Cordova in Spain
1486 Columbus first petitions his plans to the Spanish court but is refused
1487 He was in the service of the Duke of Medina Celi, Don Luis de la Cerda
1487 Columbus submits his plans to King Henry VII of England and King Charles
VIII of France but they both decline his proposals
1488 His second and favorite son Ferdinand, better known as Fernando ( 1488 1539) was born. His mother was Dona Beatriz Enriquez
1491 Columbus again appealed to King Ferdinand taking his son Diego with him
but he was again refused
1491 A priest called Father Perez interceded on behalf of Columbus and pleaded
with Queen Isabella to fund Columbus who, if he succeed would be able to convert
heathen races to Christianity
1492 King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain finally give Christopher
Columbus the money and ships
Both the sons of Christopher Columbus served as pages to Prince Juan, the son of
the King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella
1492 August Columbus leaves Palos, Spain in search of the Indies
Timeline, Facts & History about the 1492 voyage of Christopher Columbus to the New
World
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Christopher Columbus ship was called the Santa Maria. It was completely decked
and carried the flag of Columbus as admiral. His son, Fernando accompanied
Columbus
The other two ships, the Pinta, and the Nina, were undecked caravels with cabins
and forecastles
Martin Alonso Pinzon commanded the Pinta and his brother, Vicente Yanez Pinzon
commanded the Nina
Christopher Columbus three ships carried 120 men
1492 September 8 - The Voyage of Christopher Columbus began
1492 September 15 The ships touched at the Canaries the conditions were favorable
1492 September 20 The Sargasso Sea - the conditions change. Columbus kept two
log books to deceive the crew as to the real length of the voyage
1492 September 23 The Crew Members Become Disgruntled
1492 October 7 False Landfall is spotted
1492 October 11 There is near Mutiny from the crew
1492 October 12 Land was seen plainly by one of the Pinta's crew
1492 October 12 Columbus lands on Watling's Island in the Bahamas, West Indies.
The discoverers named the island San Salvador. Columbus believes that he has
reached the passage to India and China
1492 October 28 Cuba
1492 December 5 the Santa Maria sinks off the cost of Hispaniola
Christopher Columbus establishes the first Spanish settlement in the New World
1492 January 16 Christopher Columbus starts the return journey home to Spain
Timeline, Facts & History about the Later life of Christopher Columbus
The following are facts and dates in a timeline format telling the story about the later life
and history of Christopher Columbus:
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1493 Christopher Columbus arrives at Palos in Spain on 15 March, 1493
He brings the news to Europe of the New World
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1493, 25 September The Second voyage of Christopher Columbus with 16 ships
from Cadiz, carrying about 1500 men including Juan Ponce de Leon
Columbus explores Hispaniola (Jamaica) and encounters the hostile Carib and
Arawak native indians
Columbus establishes a Spanish settlement in Haiti and searches for gold
1494 September 29 Christopher Columbus returns to Spain
1498 May 30 The Third voyage of Christopher Columbus from Seville, Spain, with
six ships
31 July 1498 Christopher Columbus arrived at the Cape Verde Islands, near
Trinidad
Columbus crossed over to the mainland where he discovered pearls
Christopher Columbus was the first European to land in South America
News spreads to Spain about problems in the Spanish settlements. Columbus is
heavily criticised for its handling
A visita was ordered - it was a much dreaded measure. The visitador chosen to
investigate was Francisco de Bobadilla
24 August, 1500 Bobadilla landed at Santo Domingo
Francisco de Bobadilla believed that Columbus and his brothers considered
themselves rulers of the new country. He ordered their imprisonment, where they
were harshly held in irons
1500 October Christopher Columbus and his brothers are sent home in chains
Royalty, nobility and the Spanish people were horrified at the injustices which ad
been heaped on Christopher Columbus and all previous property confiscated and
rank was restored to Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus proposed yet another voyage of discovery
1502 Fourth and final voyage of Christopher Columbus leaves from Cadiz, Spain,
with four ships
1504 7th November - Christopher Columbus returns to Spain
1506, May 20 Christopher Columbus dies at the Spanish court at Valladolid
Bio-facts for New World Explorers
Francisco Vasquez de Coronado
The following biography information provides basic facts about the life Francisco
Vasquez de Coronado:
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Nationality - Spanish
Lifespan - 1510 - 1554
Family - Noble Spanish family
Education - Well educated befitting the status of his family
Career - Spanish Conquistador and Explorer
Famous as : the first European to explore the Southwest of North America in
Arizona and New Mexico. He searched for the mythical Seven Cities of Gold
- El Dorado
The following are additional facts and a timeline about the life and history of
Francisco Vasquez de Coronado:
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1510: Francisco Vazquez de Coronado was born in Salamanca, Spain
1535: Coronado went to New Spain (Mexico) with Antonio de Mendoza
(1490–1552) the Spanish Viceroy
1537: Coronado had married the wealthy daughter of the colonial treasurer.
They had eight children.
1538: Francisco Vazquez de Coronado was made governor of Nueva Galicia
1539: Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza is told of the Seven Cities of gold. The
myth is given credence by a Franciscan friar named Marcos de Niza (1495–
1558) who tells of a gleaming city called Cibola that local Indians described
as only the smallest of the seven which holds more gold than the Incas
1539: The Viceroy tasks Coronada with searching the South West for Cibola
and the Seven Cities of Gold
1540 Feb 23: Francisco Vazquez de Coronado begins his exploration of
south-western North America in search of the Seven Cities of Gold
 The expedition leaves from Compostela (Senora) Fray Marcos
accompanies the expedition as a guide
 Francisco Vazquez de Coronado leads the expedition which consist of
340 Spanish, 300 Indians, 1000 horses, 1000 slaves and six swivel guns
indicating that the purpose was to colonise as well as explore
1540 July 7 Battle against the Peublo Indians at Zuni - Coronado is wounded
but establishes a base
1540: Francisco Vazquez de Coronado reaches Cibola but it was not El
Dorado the gleaming city of wealth described by Fray Marcos. Fray Marcos
de Niza was dismissed as guide and sent back in disgrace
1540: An Indian guide, nicknamed the Turk, tells of another rich kingdom
called Quivira. Coronado believes yet another myth no doubt fuelled by the
fabulous gold and silver which was found in the cities of the Aztecs and the
Incas
1541 April 23 Coronado sets out for Quivira
1541 Jun 29 The Spanish explorers cross the Arkansas River
1541: Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado arrives in Kansas in
search of gold & silver and reach Quivira. Huge disappointment again when
Quivira is found to be no more than a poor indigenous village of the Wichita
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When no cities of gold are found the Turk confesses under torture that the
story was false and he was executed
1541- 1542 Coronado and his Spanish expedition spend the winter on the Rio
Grande
1542 April: Francisco Vazquez de Coronado starts the journey home. He had
failed to find El Dorado, the Seven Cities of Gold but had made a
tremendous voyage of discovery across America. During the expedition his
men discovered the Grand Canyon
1542: The Viceroy brands the expedition of Francisco Vasquez de Coronado
an abject failure but Coronado retains his post of Governor
1544: Coronada was found guilty of atrocities against Indians and removed
from office
1544: Francisco Vasquez de Coronado sent to work in a minor position in
Mexico City
1554: Francisco Vasquez de Coronado died September 22, 1554
Bio-facts for New World Explorers
Juan Ponce de Leon
The following biography information provides basic facts
about the life Juan Ponce de Leon:
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Nationality - Spanish
Lifespan - 1460 - 1521
Family - Juan Ponce de Leon was descended from the
Spanish Royal family
Education - Well educated befitting his noble birth
Career - Courtier, Explorer and Soldier
Famous as the first European to set foot in Florida. He
also discovered the Gulf Stream and was famous for
searching for the "fountain of youth". He also established
the oldest European settlement in Puerto Rico
The following are additional facts and a timeline about the life
and history of Juan Ponce de Leon:
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Juan Ponce de Leon was born in Santervas, Spain
Juan Ponce de Leon came from a noble Spanish family
and was well educated as befitted his status and would
have been taught several languages, physics, geometry,
mathematics and astronomy
Ponce de Leon served as page to Pedro Nunuz de
Guzman at the Spanish court
1490's Ponce travelled the seas as a Privateer, attacking
ships belonging to the Moors
1493, 25 September The Second voyage of Christopher
Columbus with 16 ships from Cadiz, carrying about 1500
men - including Juan Ponce de Leon
Columbus explores Hispaniola (Jamaica) and encounters
the hostile Carib and Arawak native indians
Columbus establishes a Spanish settlement in Haiti and
searches for gold and Juan Ponce de Leon has gained a
wealth of experience from this voyage of discovery
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1494 September 29 Christopher Columbus returns to
Spain but Juan Ponce de Leon stays in Santo Domingo
(now called the Dominican Republic)
1512 23 February Charles V grants Juan Ponce de Leon
a patent authorizing him to discover and people the
Island of Bimini (in the Bahamas) bestowing upon him
the title of Adelantado and total jurisdiction
1508: Ponce de Leon founded the first settlement in
Puerto Rico, Caparra (later relocated to San Juan)Ponce
de Leon colonized Puerto Rico using just a few troops and
one greyhound who scared the natives
3 March, 1513, Ponce sets out from San German ( Puerto
Rico ) with three ships, fitted out at his own expense
14 March, 1513 Juan Ponce de Leon reaches Guanahani,
San Salvador ,where Christopher Columbus first sighted
land
27 March 1513 Juan Ponce de Leon comes within sight of
the coast ( Florida)
2 April 1513 Juan Ponce de Leon took possession of the
land which Ponce de Leon named "Pascua de Florida" (
Feast of Flowers) because they first spotted land on Palm
Sunday
1513 Juan Ponce de Leon returned to Puerto Rico
27 September, 1514 Via his friend, Pedro Nunez de
Guzman, he secured a second grant giving him power to
settle the Island of Bimini and the Island of Florida, ( at
this point in time Florida was thought to be just an
island)
1521 he set out with two ships ready to colonise Florida.
Whilst building houses Ponce de Leon and his party were
attacked by a tribe of the Calusa (on Pine Island)
Ponce de Leon was injured by a poisoned arrow
Juan Ponce de Leon returned to Havana, Cuba, where he
died of his wounds. His tomb is in the cathedral in Old
San Juan
Bio-facts for New World Explorers
Jacques Cartier
Facts, Timeline & History about the life of Jacques Cartier - Explorer and
Navigator
The following are additional facts and a timeline about the life and history
of Jacques Cartier:
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1491: Jacques Cartier was born at Saint-Malo in Brittany
There is little information about the early life of Jacques Cartier but
he would have been well educated and would have studied
cartography, navigation, astronomy, mathematics and seamanship in
his early life
May 1520: Jacques Cartier married Catherine Des Granches, but they
had no children. It was a good marriage as Catherine Des Granches
was the daughter of Jacques Des Granches a chevalier du roi and
constable of Saint-Malo
Jacques Cartier lived in Dieppe and acquired the skills of an
experienced seaman. Dieppe was the home of Giovanni da
Verrazzano
1524-1527 : Jacques Cartier was believed to have accompanied
Giovanni da Verrazzano on his expeditions to North America
exploring the northeast coast of North America from Cape Fear,
North Carolina to Maine and also a voyage to Brazil
 Giovanni da Verrazzano was an Italian who sailed under the
French flag for King Francois I of France
Jacques Cartier acquired a significant reputation as an experienced
seaman and navigator which would have been reported in Giovanni
da Verrazzano's reports to the French King
1532: Jean Le Veneur, the bishop of Saint-Malo, recommended to
King Francois that Jacques Cartier be chosen to lead a voyage of
discovery to the New World and take the Catholic religion to the
'heathen natives'
1534: The King of France, Francois I sent Jacques Cartier to
"discover certain islands and lands where it is said there is a large
amount of gold and other riches to be found."
Grande Hermine was the name of the ship used by Jacques Cartier.
The Grande Hermine was a small ship of sixty tons. Another small
ship accompanied the Grande Hermine. Both ships had a crew of
thirty men
1534 April: Jacques Cartier leads his first voyage to North America
from Saint Malo
Jacques Cartier reaches Newfoundland and sails on to and explores
the coast of Labrador
Cartier sailed inland, going 1,000 miles up the St. Lawrence River
Cartier named Canada "Kanata" meaning village or settlement in the
Huron-Iroquois language
The first voyage of Jacques Cartier lasted 137 days
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He returned to France and reported his explorations to the King of
France
The King offers Jacques Cartier another commission to return to
Canada
1535 May 26: Jacques Cartier leads a second voyage to Canada. On
his second voyage, he had three ships and 110 men
Jacques Cartier travelled across the Atlantic and explored some land
in Montreal before returning to spend the winter at Stadacona
(Quebec), near some friendly native villages
The winter saw an outbreak of scurvy which cost the lives of 25 of
the men
1536 May 6: Jacques Cartier left Quebec and sailed for France
1536 July 16 Jacques Cartier returned safely to Saint-Malo
Jacques Cartier reported back to the King of France and the French
council started to make plans to colonise Canada
1540: Jean Francois de la Rocque, Sieur de Roberval (1500-1560)
was commanded by the French king to take charge of the
colonization of Canada
1541: Jacques Cartier was instructed to lead a third voyage to
Canada and redezvous with Sieur de Roberval who was to follow
Cartier's expedition
Jacques Cartier waited for Jean Francois de la Rocque, Sieur de
Roberval whilst enduring a bitterly cold winter
Jacques Cartier made the decision to return to France. He eventually
met with Sieur de Roberval in Newfoundland. Jacques Cartier
warned de Roberval not to go to Canada because of the terrible
weather conditions
1542: Jacques Cartier returned to France and waited for news of
Sieur de Roberval
Sieur de Roberval ignored the warnings of Jacques Cartier and
travelled to Quebec. His attempts to start a settlement was
abandoned due to the bitterly cold winter and the expedition
returned to France on June 6 1543
1545: Jacques Cartier published an account of his expeditions and
voyages of explorations
1557 1 September: Jacques Cartier died 1 September, 1557 at his
manor of Limoilou, near Saint-Malo
1575 April: Catherine Des Granches, the widow of Jacques Cartier,
died at Limoilou
Facts about the 1534 Jacques Cartier ship - the Grande Hermine
The name of the 1534 Jacques Cartier ship was the Grande Hermine. The
brave men of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries who sailed in uncharted
waters to unknown lands were courageous adventurers who were
motivated by fame, glory and the wealth. The living conditions on board the
small ships were basic and the voyages were dangerous.