OTD News: Amerigo Vespucci Dies at Home
SPAIN (February 23, 1512) -- Just five years since the large landmass in the west was named after him, nautical explorer Amerigo Vespucci passed away at his home in Seville Spain last night, February 22.
The Italian native is known for demonstrating and proving that the New World was not Asia but a previously unknown fourth continent, but it was the navigations that ultimately took his life.
In 1503, during his second of four voyages, Vespucci contracted malaria. Vespucci made two more trips in 1505 and 1507 before settling in Spain. After a nine year battle and one month from his 58th birthday, Vespucci lost his battle to the disease.
Colloquially referred to as the New World, this second super continent was named " America" by the Waldseemüller world map , deriving its name from Americus, the Latin version of Vespucci.
With the help of Portugal, Vespucci, made arguably four major voyages. The third and fourth voyages led to the Portugeese discovery of South America.
A legacy hangs in the balance for Vespucci, as many side with the Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus and his own discoveries of the new world.The letters caused controversy after Vespucci's death, especially among the supporters of Columbus who believed Columbus' priority for the discovery of America was being undermined, and seriously damaged Vespucci's reputation.
Not long after his return to Spain, Vespucci became a Spanish citizen.
On March 22, 1508 he was made the pilot major of Spain by Ferdinand II of Aragon in honor of his discoveries.
Only time will tell if "America" will stick as the name of these continents, but Amerigo Vespucci will be more than a footnote in history.
The Italian native is known for demonstrating and proving that the New World was not Asia but a previously unknown fourth continent, but it was the navigations that ultimately took his life.
In 1503, during his second of four voyages, Vespucci contracted malaria. Vespucci made two more trips in 1505 and 1507 before settling in Spain. After a nine year battle and one month from his 58th birthday, Vespucci lost his battle to the disease.
Colloquially referred to as the New World, this second super continent was named " America" by the Waldseemüller world map , deriving its name from Americus, the Latin version of Vespucci.
With the help of Portugal, Vespucci, made arguably four major voyages. The third and fourth voyages led to the Portugeese discovery of South America.
A legacy hangs in the balance for Vespucci, as many side with the Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus and his own discoveries of the new world.The letters caused controversy after Vespucci's death, especially among the supporters of Columbus who believed Columbus' priority for the discovery of America was being undermined, and seriously damaged Vespucci's reputation.
Not long after his return to Spain, Vespucci became a Spanish citizen.
On March 22, 1508 he was made the pilot major of Spain by Ferdinand II of Aragon in honor of his discoveries.
Only time will tell if "America" will stick as the name of these continents, but Amerigo Vespucci will be more than a footnote in history.
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