1474-1557. Italian navigator and
cartographer, the second son of Giovanni
Caboto. He explored the Brazilian coast and
the River Plate for Charles V 1526-30. He was
also employed by Henry VIII, Edward VI, and
Ferdinand of Spain. He planned a voyage to
China by way of the North-East Passage, the
sea route along the N Eurasian coast,
encouraged the formation of the Company of
Merchant Adventurers of London 1551, and in
1553 and 1556 directed the Company's
expeditions to Russia, where he opened
British trade.