Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus, born between August 26 and October 31, 1451, in Genoa, Italy, was a master navigator and admiral. His four transatlantic voyages (1492–93, 1493–96, 1498–1500, and 1502–04) opened the way for widespread European exploration and the eventual conquest of the Americas. His expeditions, sponsored by the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, were the first European contact with the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Columbus was determined to find a direct water route west from Europe to Asia, but he never did. Instead, he stumbled upon the Americas. Though he did not “discover” the New World—millions of people already lived there—his journeys marked the beginning of centuries of exploration and colonization of North and South America. Despite his significant contributions to history, Columbus died a disappointed man on May 20, 1506, in Valladolid, Spain. His life and achievements have been the subject of countless studies and works of literature. His character adds depth to the historical side of the ancient world.