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Who Was Amerigo Vespucci?
Amerigo Vespucci, an esteemed navigator and explorer, embarked on his first voyage on May 10, 1497. His third and most significant expedition led to the discovery of present-day Rio de Janeiro and Rio de la Plata. Upon recognizing the potential of this new territory, he designated South America as the “New World.” In 1507, the name “America” was officially adopted in his honor. Vespucci passed away from malaria in Seville, Spain, on February 22, 1512.
Early Life
Born on March 9, 1451 (with some scholars suggesting 1454), in Florence, Italy, Amerigo Vespucci was the third son of a cultured family. Despite his Italian origins, he became a naturalized Spanish citizen in 1505. Vespucci’s family had connections with the influential Medici family, who governed Italy from the 1400s until 1737. His father, Ser Nastagio, served as a notary in Florence. While his elder brothers pursued education at the University of Pisa, Vespucci received his early instruction from his paternal uncle, Giorgio Antonio Vespucci, a Dominican friar.
In his early twenties, Vespucci was given a significant opportunity by another uncle, Guido Antonio Vespucci, who served as an ambassador of Florence under King Louis XI of France. He tasked Amerigo with a brief diplomatic mission to Paris, which likely sparked his enduring interest in travel and exploration.
Before Exploration
Prior to his foray into exploration, Vespucci held various occupations. At the age of 24, he faced pressure from his father to enter the business world, which he did, initially engaging in a range of commercial ventures in Florence. He eventually relocated to Seville, Spain, where he partnered with Gianetto Berardi in a banking enterprise. During the years from 1483 to 1492, Vespucci is believed to have worked for the Medici family, during which he became aware of explorers’ pursuits for a northwest passage through the Indies.
There is ongoing debate among historians regarding the extent of Vespucci’s explorations. Some suggest he may have undertaken additional voyages, specifically a fifth and sixth journey with Juan de la Cosa in 1505 and 1507, respectively. However, other sources assert that his fourth journey marked the conclusion of his explorations.
Voyages of Amerigo Vespucci
According to a letter, the authenticity of which is debated, Amerigo Vespucci embarked on his inaugural voyage on May 10, 1497. Departing from Cadiz with a fleet of Spanish ships, the letter suggests that the expedition navigated through the West Indies and reached the mainland of Central America in approximately five weeks. If the letter is indeed genuine, this would imply that Vespucci discovered Venezuela a year prior to Christopher Columbus’s arrival. Vespucci and his fleet returned to Cadiz in October 1498.
In May 1499, sailing under the Spanish flag, Vespucci undertook his next expedition as a navigator under the command of Alonzo de Ojeda. During this voyage, they crossed the equator and traveled to the coast of present-day Guyana. It is believed that Vespucci parted ways with Ojeda at this point to further explore the Brazilian coast. Notably, during this journey, he is credited with the discovery of the Amazon River and Cape St. Augustine.
On May 14, 1501, Vespucci set sail on his third transatlantic journey, this time in service to King Manuel I of Portugal. This voyage is widely regarded as his most successful. Although he did not initially command the expedition, he accepted leadership when requested by the Portuguese officers. The fleet sailed along the South American coast from Cape São Roque to Patagonia, resulting in the discovery of modern-day Rio de Janeiro and Rio de la Plata. Upon his return, Vespucci believed he had encountered a new continent, referring to South America as the “New World” in a letter to Florence. His assertion was influenced by Columbus’s earlier observation in 1498, when he noted the substantial outflow of fresh water from the Orinoco River, suggesting the existence of a landmass of continental proportions. Vespucci expressed his desire to document his achievements, stating that his accounts would ensure he left a legacy.
On June 10, 1503, once again under the Portuguese flag, Vespucci, accompanied by Gonzal Coelho, returned to Brazil. However, the expedition failed to yield new discoveries, leading to the disbandment of the fleet. To Vespucci’s disappointment, the commander of the Portuguese ship was mysteriously absent. Despite these setbacks, Vespucci persevered, discovering Bahia and the island of South Georgia before being compelled to abandon the voyage and return to Lisbon in 1504. There is speculation regarding additional voyages by Vespucci; some historians suggest he undertook a fifth and sixth voyage with Juan de la Cosa in 1505 and 1507, respectively, while others contend that his fourth journey was his last.
America’s Namesake
In 1507, scholars at Saint-Dié-des-Vosges in northern France were engaged in the preparation of a geography book titled Cosmographiæ Introductio, which included large cut-out maps for readers to create their own globes. Martin Waldseemüller, a German cartographer and one of the book’s authors, proposed that the newly discovered Brazilian segment of the New World be named “America,” a feminine form of the name Amerigo, in honor of Amerigo Vespucci. This designation granted Vespucci the enduring legacy of being the namesake of America.
Years later, in 1538, the renowned mapmaker Gerardus Mercator, building on the maps developed at Saint-Dié, opted to label both the northern and southern parts of the continent as “America,” rather than limiting the name to the southern region. Consequently, as the definition of America expanded, Vespucci began to receive credit for territories that many historians acknowledge were initially discovered by Columbus.
Final Years and Death
In 1505, Vespucci, originally from Italy, became a naturalized citizen of Spain. Three years later, he was appointed piloto mayor (master navigator) of Spain, responsible for recruiting and training navigators as well as gathering data on ongoing exploration of the New World. Vespucci held this position for the remainder of his life.
Amerigo Vespucci passed away from malaria on February 22, 1512, in Seville, Spain.