Juan Sebastián Elcano
Juan Sebastián Elcano (Elkano in modern Basque; sometimes given as del Cano; 1486/1487 – 4 August 1526) was a Spanish navigator, ship-owner and explorer of Basque origin from Getaria, part of the Crown of Castile when he was born, best known for having completed the first circumnavigation of the Earth in the Spanish ship Victoria on the Magellan expedition to the Spice Islands. He received recognition for his achievement by Charles I of Spain with a coat of arms bearing a globe and the Latin motto Primus circumdedisti me (You were the first to circumnavigate me).
Juan Sebastián Elcano | |
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Modern engraving of Elcano | |
| Born | Juan Sebastián Elcano c. 1486 |
| Died | August 4, 1526 (aged 39–40) Pacific Ocean |
| Occupation(s) | Explorer, navigator, mariner and military |
| Known for | First circumnavigation of the Earth |
| Partner | María Hernández Dernialde |
| Children | N. Elcano (daughter) and Domingo Elcano (son). |
| Parent(s) | Domingo Sebastián Elcano I, and Catalina del Puerto |
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Despite his achievements, information on Elcano is scarce and he is the subject of great historiographical controversy, because of the scarcity of original sources which illuminate his private life and personality. Even in Spain, for example, the first biographies about him were written in the second half of the 19th century, after three centuries of neglect by historians.
Following his success, the king entrusted him with another large expedition to the Spice Islands, headed by the nobleman García Jofre de Loaisa, which was not completed. Elcano died in the Pacific Ocean during this venture.