Alejandro Malaspina

Alejandro Malaspina (November 5, 1754 – April 9, 1810) was a Tuscan explorer who spent most of his life as a Spanish naval officer. Under a Spanish royal commission, he undertook a voyage around the world from 1786 to 1788, then, from 1789 to 1794, a scientific expedition (the Malaspina Expedition) throughout the Pacific Ocean, exploring and mapping much of the west coast of the Americas from Cape Horn to the Gulf of Alaska, crossing to Guam and the Philippines, and stopping in New Zealand, Australia, and Tonga.

Alejandro Malaspina
Birth nameAlessandro Malaspina
Other name(s)Alexandro Malaspina
Born(1754-11-05)November 5, 1754
Mulazzo, Grand Duchy of Tuscany, Holy Roman Empire
DiedApril 9, 1810(1810-04-09) (aged 55)
Pontremoli, French Empire
Allegiance Spain
Service/branch Navy of Spain
Years of service1774–1795
RankBrigadier
Commands heldMalaspina Expedition
Battles/warsGreat Siege of Gibraltar

Malaspina was christened Alessandro, the Italian form of Alexander. He signed his letters in Spanish Alexandro, which is usually modernized to Alejandro by scholars.

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