Christopher Columbus

Although it is not known for certain, Christopher Columbus was most likely born in Genoa, Italy, in 1451, at a time when various states found it necessary to expand and dominate trade routes. His greatest desire, which he felt was predestined by God, was to reach India, a land on the other side of the globe, by sailing around the African continent. After appeals to various monarchs, the Catholic Monarchs finally financed his adventure, which culminated in the discovery of what would later be called America, across the Atlantic. The rest of his life was filled with dissatisfaction, although he never learned that he had discovered a new continent for Europeans. Others, those who received the honours and riches, were the ones who benefited.