famous explorers library

For centuries, European explorers sailed vast oceans to find new lands. Learn all about major European explorers in these articles.

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Articles 21-28 of 28

Pytheas

Pytheas, (fourth century B.C.), a Greek navigator and explorer. He was a native of the Greek colony of Massalia (Marseille, France).

Sebastian Cabot

Cabot, Sebastian (1475?–1557), an Italian-born navigator and mapmaker. He was a son of John Cabot and probably was born in Venice.

Sir Humphrey Gilbert

Gilbert, Sir Humphrey (1539–1583), an English soldier and explorer. In 1583 he claimed Newfoundland for England.

Sir John Hawkins

Hawkins , Sir John (1532–1595), an English navigator. Like his cousin, Sir Francis Drake, he was one of the “sea dogs” of the Elizabethan age.

Sir Martin Frobisher

Frobisher, Sir Martin (1535?–1595), an English sailor and explorer. While searching for a northwest passage to Asia in 1576 he discovered Frobisher Bay, an inlet of Baffin Island north of Labrador.

Thorfinn Karlsefni

Thorfinn Karlsefni, an Icelandic explorer of the 11th century, believed to have been the first to attempt to found a permanent settlement in North America.

Vasco Da Gama

Gama, Vasco da (1469?–1524), a Portuguese navigator. During 1497–98, he completed the first ocean voyage from Europe to Asia, opening the Far East to European trade and colonial expansion.

William Dampier

Dampier, William (1651?–1715), an English buccaneer and navigator. He was the first Englishman to set foot in Australia and he discovered the island of New Britain.