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Christopher Columbus

Italian navigator, explorer, and colonist (1451-1506) · Italy · Historical Figures · Died at 55

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The Genoese navigator who sailed west in 1492 seeking a shortcut to Asia and instead opened Europe's path to the Americas - a voyage that reshaped two worlds and remains among history's most scrutinized.

Historical FiguresScientistChemistryMedieval Era

A life in dates

1506Died20 May 15061498“I have come to believe that this is a mighty continent which was hitherto unknown.”In their wordsAugust 1498Journal of the Third Voyage (May - August 1498)

1492“I certify to Your Highnesses that in the world I believe that there are no better people nor better land.”In their words25 December 1492

“When there are such lands there should be profitable things without number.”In their words27 November 1492

“I wished to give a complete relation to your Highnesses, and also where a fort might be built….”In their words14 October 1492

“Saw pardelas and a green rush near the vessel.”In their words11 October 1492

“I should not proceed by land to the East, as is custom, but by a Westerly route, in which direction we have hitherto no certain evidence that any one has gone.”In their words3 August 1492 diary entry

Governor of the IndiesOffice1492-1500Viceroy of the IndiesOffice1492-15061451Born

Also in Deutsch

Photos 12

Christopher Columbus House in Genoa, Italy, an 18th-century reconstruction of the house in which Columbus grew up. The original was likely destroyed during the 1684 bombardment of Genoa.[10][11]Christopher Columbus House in Genoa, Italy, an 18th-century reconstruction of the house in which Columbus grew up. The original was likely destroyed during the 1684 bombardment of Genoa.[10][11]Colombo giovinetto, sculpture of young Columbus by Giulio Monteverde, GenoaColombo giovinetto, sculpture of young Columbus by Giulio Monteverde, GenoaPortrait of Columbus by Aliprando CaprioliPortrait of Columbus by Aliprando CaprioliColumbus's copy of The Travels of Marco Polo, with his handwritten notes in Latin in the marginsColumbus's copy of The Travels of Marco Polo, with his handwritten notes in Latin in the marginsToscanelli's notions of the geography of the Atlantic Ocean (shown superimposed on a modern map), which directly influenced Columbus's plansToscanelli's notions of the geography of the Atlantic Ocean (shown superimposed on a modern map), which directly influenced Columbus's plans"Columbus map", drawn c. 1490 in the Lisbon mapmaking workshop of Bartholomew and Christopher Columbus[63]"Columbus map", drawn c. 1490 in the Lisbon mapmaking workshop of Bartholomew and Christopher Columbus[63]Christopher Columbus at the gates of the monastery of Santa María de la Rábida with his son Diego, by Benet MercadéChristopher Columbus at the gates of the monastery of Santa María de la Rábida with his son Diego, by Benet Mercadé

In their own words 10

,
Christopher Columbus
,
10 statements, newest first

  1. I have come to believe that this is a mighty continent which was hitherto unknown.

    Aug 1498, Journal of the Third Voyage (May - August 1498), Own words

  2. It is true that after they have been reassured and have lost this fear, they are so artless and so free with all they possess, that no one would believe it without having seen it.

    Mar 4, 1493, Letter to the Sovereigns , First Voyage (15 February - 4 March 1493), Own words

  3. I certify to Your Highnesses that in the world I believe that there are no better people nor better land.

    Dec 25, 1492, 25 December 1492, Own words

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About this person

Born in the Republic of Genoa between August and October 1451, Columbus went to sea young and ranged from the British Isles to Ghana before settling in Lisbon. Largely self-taught in geography and astronomy, he lobbied multiple kingdoms with a plan to reach the East Indies by sailing west until Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand II agreed to fund the attempt. He left Palos in August 1492 with three ships and made landfall in the Bahamas on 12 October, then visited Cuba and Hispaniola, where he established a colony. He returned to Castile in early 1493 with captives, and the news spread fast. Three more voyages followed - the Lesser Antilles in 1493, Trinidad and South America's northern coast in 1498, Central America's east in 1502 - but his governorship drew accusations of brutality, and in 1500 the Crown arrested him and removed him from Hispaniola. He spent his final years in litigation over promised privileges and died on 20 May 1506, never renouncing his belief he'd reached the Far East.

Country
Italy
Category
Historical Figures
Type
Historical Figure
Status
deceased
Dates
Lived 1451 to 1506 · aged 55

Historical Figures from Italy 6

Marco Polo85.3Marcus Aurelius81.0Victor Emmanuel II of Italy65.9Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor65.2Victor Emmanuel III of Italy65.0Umberto I of Italy63.3

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