Ferdinand Magellan

Portuguese explorer in the service of Spain

Ferdinand Magellan (1480 – 27 April 1521) was a Portuguese explorer. He became the first European to sail the Pacific Ocean, and the first to sail around the world. Magellan's voyage proved that the Earth was round.[1]2

Ferdinand Magellan
Born
Fernão de Magalhães

1480
DiedApril 27, 1521 (aged 40–41)
Mactan, Philippines killed By Lapulapu
NationalityPortuguese
Known forThe first to sail around the world.
Signature

Born in 1480, his birthplace is recorded as either Sabrosa or Porto in Portugal.[2] He worked in the royal court. Since his parents were members of the Portuguese nobility and after their deaths, Magellan became a page for the queen at the age of 10. In the royal court where he learned [3] many important skills, including map making, navigation and astronomy. In 1505 he joined the navy. When he worked for Portugal, he went to many parts of the world, such as India, the Spice Islands, East Africa, and Morocco. When in Morocco in 1513 Magellan was wounded, and walked the remainder of his life with a limp. After he lost his job for the King of Portugal, he went to work for the King of Spain.

He was also the first to sail through the Strait of Magellan, so it was named after him. Magellan himself was killed in the Philippines, on 27 April 1521 in Mactan during a battle with the natives after he was accused of stealing.

Charles V of Spain provided him with five ships for the voyage round the world. Only one ship, the Victoria, completed the voyage. Magellan died on April 27, 1521 (aged 40-41) in Mactan, Philippines, killed by Lapulapu and his warriors.

References

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  1. Nowell, Charles E. (ed) 1962. Magellan's voyage around the world: three contemporary accounts. Evanston: NU Press.
  2. Daniel Rogers, Magellan and da gama
  3. "Ferdinand Magellan". Biography. 20 August 2020.

Other websites

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