Biography : The Great Explorer
Christopher Columbus was an explorer, Navigator and Colonizer who initiated the Spanish colonization of the New
World.
There are many explorers who have redefined history, however, there are
few who have influenced the very establishment of certain countries.
Christopher Columbus is one such historical figure who changed the perception
of the American continents for the European countries. Through his four
significant voyages he not only discovered new land masses, but also initiated
Spanish colonization and the establishment of several new societies. After a
lot of struggle to get the support of the Spanish and Portuguese governments,
he finally succeeded in getting a grant which funded his travels. He set out to
discover Asia for its spices and condiments. However, he ended up discovering
Hispaniola. Even though he was not the first to discover America, he did open
the gateway between Europe and America and paved the way for the exploration
and conquest of America by the Europeans. A strained relationship with the
Spanish crown, worked to his disadvantage and he was divested of the
Governorship of the island of Hispaniola which he discovered himself. His life
was a historical journey, which reflected his adventurous and righteous
personality, and earned him a permanent place in the annals of explorations. To
learn more interesting information pertaining to this great explorer’s personal
life and achievements, continue reading his biography.
Christopher Colombus
Childhood &
Early Life:
- Christopher
Columbus was born in a middle-class family in Genoa which is now a part of
Italy. His father, Domenico Colombo was a wool weaver and his mother was
Susanna Fontanarossa. He had three brothers named Bartolomeo, Giovanni
Pellegrino and Giacomo and a sister, Bianchinetta.
- In 1473, he took a job as an apprentice and was a business agent for some families in Genoa. During this time, he also visited Chios which was Genoese colony.
Later Life
- During the
1470s, Columbus toured several places for trading, such as, Northern
Europe and England. According to certain historical accounts, he also
spent some time in Iceland.
- In 1479, he met
his brother Bartolomeo in Lisbon (Portugal). He got
married and settled there until his wife died in 1485. After the death of
his wife, Columbus and his son moved to Spain. Here he made an
effort to win a grant which would allow him to explore the western trade
routes.
- For a long
time, he pursued the Portuguese and Spanish kings but they did not support his plans. Eventually, his
plans were considered by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella (Spain).
He now set on to explore Asia
promising to bring back condiments from China.
- On August 3,
1492, Columbus embarked on his first voyage and set sail with three ships
called the Pinta, Nina, and Santa
Maria. He was also accompanied by 104 men. The first stop was at Canary
Islands to pick up supplies and then he set out sailing across the
Atlantic.
- After five weeks of travel, many men died due to diseases and
hunger. On October 14, 1492, a land was sighted by Rodrigo de Triana in
the present day Bahamas. Columbus named
this land San Salvador thinking it was Asian land.
- As Columbus decided to continue sailing in search of China, he
ended up reaching Cuba and Hispaniola (West Indies). In November 1492, the
crew on the ship Pinta was left to explore on its own.
- In December 1492, Columbus’ ship Santa Maria crashed and wrecked
off the coast of Hispaniola (West Indies). The next
year, in March, Columbus reached Spain completing his first voyage.
- In September
1493, Columbus set on his second voyage with 17 ships and almost 1200 men.
This time, he set sail towards the west aiming to establish colonies for
Spain and search for land in the far East.
- In November,
the same year, his crew saw land and discovered the Dominica, Guadeloupe
and Jamaica islands. He then went on to Hispaniola(West Indies) to check
on his crew at the Fort of Navidad.
- The site of the
fort was destroyed and after a battle in 1495, Columbus named this the
colony of Santo Domingo and conquered the island of Hispaniola (West Indies). In March, the
next year, he set sail back to Spain and reached Cadiz after five months.
Christopher Colombus
- In May 1498, he started
his third trip and left Spain with six ships heading towards Hispaniola (West Indies). In July, the same
year, he landed on the island of Trinidad. Next month, he explored the
Gulf of Paria and finally touched South America (USA).
- In August that
year, he returned back to Spain in bad health and found himself in the middle of Political turmoil.
- He embarked on
his fourth voyage in May 1502 and reached Hispaniola. He set sail again
the same year, and discovered Central America . The next
year, he reached Panama and even found a small amount of gold there. However, he was
forced out of the area by the local people.
- After facing a lot of problems with the ship and the crew, Columbus
sailed back to Spain in 1504. After arriving there, he
went on to settle in Seville (Spain) with his son.
Christopher Colombus : A Indoor Meeting for Sailing
Major Works
- Columbus’s
voyages created general awareness in the Americas for the European
nations. His major accomplishment was the discovery of Hispaniola(West
Indies) where he also helped establish permanent settlements. This led to
the beginning of Spanish colonization in the New World.
- With the help
of his son and brother, Columbus wrote two books. He wrote his first book
titled ‘Book of Privileges’ in 1502. The book gave details of the rewards
which he was entitled to from the Spanish Crown.
- He wrote his
second book titled ‘Book of Prophecies’ in 1505. In this book he used the
passages from the Bible to fit his achievements as an explorer in the
Christian context.
Personal Life & Legacy
- Columbus
married Filipa Moniz Perestrelo, who was the daughter of Bartolomeu
Perestrello, the governor of the Porto Santo, in 1479 or 1480. The couple
had a son, Diego Columbus. There are reports that Filipa died in 1485 but
the death is not confirmed; however, Columbus did move on from his first
wife to a mistress named Beatriz Enríquez de Arana in 1487.
- Columbus died
due to illness at the age of 54 in Valladolid, Crown of Castile which
today lies in Spain.
- In his honour, Columbus Day is celebrated in the Americas every year on the second Monday in the month of October.
Death of Christopher Colombus
Monument of Christopher Colombus
Knight of Christopher Colombus
Quick Facts
Known
As
Italian: Cristoforo Colombo,
Catalan: Cristòfor Colom, Spanish: Cristóbal Colón,
Portuguese: Cristóvão Colombo, Latin: Christophorus Columbus, Genoese:
Christoffa Co
Nationality
Religion
Roman Catholic
Born on
31 October 1451 AD
Birthday
Died At Age
54
Sun Sign
Born in
Genoa, Republic of Genoa
Died on
20 May 1506 AD
place of death
Valladolid, Crown of Castile
Father
Domenico Colombo
Mother
Susanna Fontanarossa
Siblings
Bartolomeo,, Giovanni, Pellegrino,, Giacomo,
Bianchinetta,
Spouse/Partner:
Filipa Moniz Perestrelo (m. 1479–1484)
Children
Diego Columbus,
Ferdinand Columbus