Christopher Columbus
Born:
October 31, 1451
Died:
May 20, 1506
Age:
54
Signature:
Christopher Columbus signature
Summary

Christopher Columbus (/kəˈlʌmbəs/; before 31 October 1451 – 20 May 1506) was an Italian explorer and colonizer who completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean that opened the New World for conquest and permanent European colonization of the Americas. Columbus had embarked with intent to find and develop a westward route to the Far East, but instead discovered a route to the Americas, which were then unknown to the Old World. Columbus's voyages were the first European expeditions to the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. His Spanish-based expeditions and governance of the colonies he founded were sponsored by Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon, the Catholic Monarchs of the budding Spanish Empire. Columbus never clearly renounced his belief that he had reached the Far East.

For more information from Wikipedia®: Christopher Columbus
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Third voyage
Third voyage
Second voyage
Second voyage
Fourth voyage
Fourth voyage
First voyage. Modern placenames in black, Columbus's placenames in blue.
First voyage. Modern placenames in black, Columbus's placenames in blue.
The Inspiration of Christopher Columbus by José María Obregón, 1856.
The Inspiration of Christopher Columbus by José María Obregón, 1856.
Isabella and Columbus by Larkin Mead under dome of California State Capitol[115]
Isabella and Columbus by Larkin Mead under dome of California State Capitol[115]
Columbus by Mary Lawrence
Columbus by Mary Lawrence
~ Flagship of Columbus ~ Fleet of Columbus ~ ~ 400th Anniversary Issues of 1893 ~ U.S. stamps reflecting the most commonly held view as to what Columbus's first fleet might have looked like. The Santa Maria, the flagship of Columbus's fleet, was a carrack—a merchant ship of between 400 and 600 tons, 75 feet (23 m) long, with a beam of 25 feet (7.6 m), allowing it to carry more people and cargo. It had a deep draft of 6 feet (1.8 m). The vessel had three masts: a mainmast, a foremast, and a mizzenmast. Five sails altogether were attached to these masts. Each mast carried one large sail. The foresail and mainsail were square; the sail on the mizzen was a triangular sail known as a lateen mizzen. The ship had a smaller topsail on the mainmast above the mainsail and on the foremast above the foresail. In addition, the ship carried a small square sail, a spritsail, on the bowsprit.[38][39]
~ Flagship of Columbus ~ Fleet of Columbus ~ ~ 400th Anniversary Issues of 1893 ~ U.S. stamps reflecting the most commonly held view as to what Columbus's first fleet might have looked like. The Santa Maria, the flagship of Columbus's fleet, was a carrack—a merchant ship of between 400 and 600 tons, 75 feet (23 m) long, with a beam of 25 feet (7.6 m), allowing it to carry more people and cargo. It had a deep draft of 6 feet (1.8 m). The vessel had three masts: a mainmast, a foremast, and a mizzenmast. Five sails altogether were attached to these masts. Each mast carried one large sail. The foresail and mainsail were square; the sail on the mizzen was a triangular sail known as a lateen mizzen. The ship had a smaller topsail on the mainmast above the mainsail and on the foremast above the foresail. In addition, the ship carried a small square sail, a spritsail, on the bowsprit.[38][39]
Christopher Columbus at the gates of the monastery of Santa María de la Rábida with his son Diego. Painting by Benito Mercade y Fabregas
Christopher Columbus at the gates of the monastery of Santa María de la Rábida with his son Diego. Painting by Benito Mercade y Fabregas
Tomb in Seville Cathedral. The remains are borne by kings of Castile, Leon, Aragon and Navarre.[78]
Tomb in Seville Cathedral. The remains are borne by kings of Castile, Leon, Aragon and Navarre.[78]
In The Virgin of the Navigators, 1531–36
In The Virgin of the Navigators, 1531–36
Replica of the Santa María, Columbus's flagship during his first voyage, at his Valladolid house.[77]
Replica of the Santa María, Columbus's flagship during his first voyage, at his Valladolid house.[77]
Columbus awes the Jamaican natives by predicting the lunar eclipse of 1504.
Columbus awes the Jamaican natives by predicting the lunar eclipse of 1504.
Columbus's coat of arms, as depicted in his Book of Privileges (1502)
Columbus's coat of arms, as depicted in his Book of Privileges (1502)
Voyages of Christopher Columbus
Voyages of Christopher Columbus
Columbus and Queen Isabella. Detail of the Columbus monument in Madrid (1885).[36]
Columbus and Queen Isabella. Detail of the Columbus monument in Madrid (1885).[36]
Toscanelli's notions of the geography of the Atlantic Ocean, which directly influenced Columbus's plans
Toscanelli's notions of the geography of the Atlantic Ocean, which directly influenced Columbus's plans
The return of Christopher Columbus; his audience before King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Painting by Eugène Delacroix
The return of Christopher Columbus; his audience before King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Painting by Eugène Delacroix
12 October 1492 – Christopher Columbus discovers The Americas for Spain, painting by Gergio Delucio, no date.
12 October 1492 – Christopher Columbus discovers The Americas for Spain, painting by Gergio Delucio, no date.
Columbus monument near the state capitol in Denver, Colorado[93]
Columbus monument near the state capitol in Denver, Colorado[93]
Columbus before the Queen, as imagined[74] by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze, 1843
Columbus before the Queen, as imagined[74] by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze, 1843
Columbus's notes in Latin, on the margins of his copy of The Travels of Marco Polo
Columbus's notes in Latin, on the margins of his copy of The Travels of Marco Polo
~ Christopher Columbus ~ U.S. Columbian Issue of 1893.
~ Christopher Columbus ~ U.S. Columbian Issue of 1893.
"Columbus map", drawn ca. 1490 in the Lisbon workshop of Bartolomeo and Christopher Columbus[26]
"Columbus map", drawn ca. 1490 in the Lisbon workshop of Bartolomeo and Christopher Columbus[26]
Replicas of Niña, Pinta and Santa Maria sailed from Spain to the Chicago Columbian Exposition.
Replicas of Niña, Pinta and Santa Maria sailed from Spain to the Chicago Columbian Exposition.
  
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