Who in the World Are They? Age of Exploration European Explorers

Prince Henry the Navigator 1394-1460 Portugal Navigation

Prince Henry’s Path to Success Son of King John of Portugal and Queen Phillipa of Lancaster Wanted to find the source of West African gold trade

Prince Henry’s Reason for Fame In 1418 started the first school for oceanic navigation. Sent the first Europeans to explore the west coast of Africa. Opened Africa to European for trade.

Prince Henry’s Cool Fact His expeditions started the African slave trade His sailors brought back seal skins and they were the first European commercial cargo brought from Africa

Christopher Columbus 1451-1506 Italy Explorer

Columbus’ Path to Success Started sailing at the age of 10 Learned Latin and Portuguese Studied astronomy, geography and history Not considered to be “scholarly man” of his time

Columbus’ Reason for Fame Thought you could reach India by sailing West. Made 4 trips between 1492-1503. Claimed the “New World” for Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain

Columbus’ Cool Fact Thought he was in India so called the native people Indians. Proved that the world was round. Is given credit for discovering the New World even though it was by accident.

Henry Hudson 1565-1611?? England Explorer

Henry Hudson’s Path to Success Started as a cabin boy and worked his way to captain.

Henry Hudson’s Reason for Fame Was looking for the Northwest Passage for the Dutch East India Company. Explored much of North America.

Hudson’s Cool Fact His crew mutinied in 1611. They set he and his son adrift in the Hudson Bay. No one knows for sure what happened to them.