Christopher Columbus
Occupation: explorer
Best known for: discovering the new world
Nationality: Italian
Born: c. 1451
Died: May 20, 1506
Short biography: A native of Italy, Columbus became a sailor at an early age (he wrote that he was ten when he first went out to sea). He became fascinated by finding a western route from Europe to the lucrative markets of Asia, a radical idea for which he had difficulty obtaining financial backing. Finally, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain agreed to sponsor Columbus's voyage, and he set out with a fleet of three small ships, the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria. Columbus, of course, ended up not discovering a route to Asia, but instead, North and South America, when he landed on Hispaniola in 1492. He has been criticized for enslaving Native Americans and for not actually being the first to discover America (Leif Ericson may deserve credit for this feat). Nevertheless, Columbus is regarded as an iconic figure and indisputably accomplished a remarkable feat with courage and ingenuity. He made four voyages in total before his death in 1506.
