Christopher Columbus: A Detailed Biography

Christopher Columbus (1451–1506) was the Genoese navigator whose four voyages across the Atlantic initiated sustained European exploration and colonisation of the Americas. Hailed as a hero and condemned as exploiter, his 1492 landing in the Bahamas changed world history forever. This biography covers his early life, quest for a western route to Asia, four voyages, governorship, and controversial legacy, as documented by the Encyclopaedia Britannica, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian Magazine.

Early Life in Genoa

Birth and Maritime Training

Born Cristoforo Colombo between August 25 and October 31, 1451, in Genoa, he was the son of wool weaver Domenico Colombo. By his teens he was sailing the Mediterranean, learning navigation and trade, as detailed by the Mariners’ Museum.

Quest for a Western Route

Rejected by Portugal

Convinced the Earth was round, Columbus believed he could reach Asia by sailing west. Rejected by King John II of Portugal, he turned to Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, who finally agreed in 1492 after the conquest of Granada, as documented by the National Geographic.

First Voyage (1492–1493)

“Land! Land!”

On August 3, 1492, Columbus sailed from Palos with three ships: Santa María, Pinta, and Niña. After 70 days, land was sighted on October 12 — an island in the Bahamas he named San Salvador. He explored Cuba and Hispaniola, leaving 39 men at La Navidad before returning to Spain as a hero, as recorded in his own Letter to the Sovereigns.

Second Voyage (1493–1496)

With 17 ships and 1,200 men, Columbus founded La Isabela (Dominican Republic) and explored the Lesser Antilles, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. Native resistance and settler discontent began, as preserved by the U.S. National Park Service.

Third and Fourth Voyages

South America and Arrest

In 1498 he reached Trinidad and the mainland (Venezuela — “Little Venice”). Accused of tyranny, he was arrested in 1500 and sent back to Spain in chains. His final voyage (1502–1504) explored Central America searching for a passage to Asia, as chronicled by the History.com.

Governorship and Fall

Appointed governor of Hispaniola, Columbus was harsh toward both settlers and natives. Complaints led to his arrest. Though pardoned, he never regained his titles.

Personal Life

Columbus married Portuguese noblewoman Filipa Moniz in 1479 (one son, Diego). After her death he had a long relationship with Beatriz Enríquez de Arana (son Fernando). He was deeply religious, believing his discoveries fulfilled biblical prophecy, as documented by the British Library.

Death and Legacy

Christopher Columbus’s Enduring Impact

Columbus died on May 20, 1506, in Valladolid, Spain, aged ~54, still believing he had reached Asia. His voyages initiated the Columbian Exchange (plants, animals, diseases, people) and European colonisation of the Americas — events that reshaped the world but brought catastrophe to indigenous peoples. His legacy remains fiercely debated, as analysed by the National Geographic.

Frequently Asked Questions About Christopher Columbus

Why Is Christopher Columbus Famous?

For his four voyages (1492–1504) that began sustained European contact with the Americas.

Did Columbus Discover America?

No — indigenous peoples lived there for millennia; Leif Erikson reached North America c. 1000 CE.

Where Was Christopher Columbus Born?

Genoa, Italy, 1451.

How Many Voyages Did Columbus Make?

Four — 1492, 1493, 1498, 1502.

What Ships Did Columbus Use in 1492?

Niña, Pinta, and Santa María.

Was Columbus Looking for India?

Yes — he died believing he had reached the East Indies.

How Did Christopher Columbus Die?

Natural causes (heart attack or arthritis) on May 20, 1506, in Valladolid, Spain.