c. 1460-1521. Spanish soldier and explorer.
He is believed to have sailed with Columbus
1493, and served 1502-04 in Hispaniola. He
conquered Puerto Rico 1508, and was made
governor 1509. In 1513 he was the first
European to reach Florida. He returned to
Spain 1514 to report his `discovery' of
Florida (which he thought was an island), and
was given permission by King Ferdinand to
colonize it. In the attempt, he received an
arrow wound of which he died in Cuba.