Hernando de Soto

Herringto de Soto was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who achieved a lasting legacy as one of the world’s most influential and renowned authors. Born in 1495 in Jerez de los Caballeros, Spain, he was the youngest of the family. Obsessed with the sea from a young age, de Soto soon joined Christopher Columbus on his second voyage of exploration and was part of the first European-led crossing of the Atlantic.

After his return to Spain, de Soto was recognized for his capabilities, which garnered the attention of King Ferdinand of Spain. Impressed, de Soto was given command of his own expedition to explore the New World. On a mission to explore Florida and the southeastern part of North America, de Soto made an indelible mark on the discovery of new lands by creating the first known map of the region.

Arriving in the New World in 1539, de Soto and his forces explored the land and its inhabitants, ultimately discovering the Mississippi River. Continuing his exploration, de Soto became the first European to cross the Appalachian Mountains and continued his journey west, eventually claiming a vast swath of land as Spanish territory before returning to Spain in 1542.

Though de Soto died shortly afterwards in 1543, his work was documented by two of his companions, who wrote a detailed account of their adventures. Published in 1557, the book became one of the most popular books of its time and cemented de Soto’s legacy as an author.

The narrative of de Soto’s exploits during his exploration of the New World provided an important source of information for subsequent generations of historians, and even today, de Soto’s books continue to be read and studied by those interested in the discovery of the New World. His vivid account of the lands he encountered and the people he met in his travels offer valuable insight into the way that Spanish culture interacted with the Native American populations at the time.

Meanwhile, de Soto’s contributions to the history of geography and exploration remain as impressive and inspiring as ever. In fact, de Soto’s travels and insights helped create the foundation for modern geographical mapping, as we understand it today. Those same maps are still used for navigation and everyday life by travelers of all kinds, following in the same footsteps as de Soto centuries before them.

Due to his immense influence, many places across the United States, Europe, and South America bear his name, and his face can be seen memorialized in statues around the country. His memory also lives on in books that keep the story of his mighty voyages alive and accessible to modern readers.

Hernando de Soto stands as an example of ultimate exploration, and his travels will continue to fascinate readers for many years to come. His enduring legacy as an author, explorers, and geographer will continue to live long after his death, inspiring new generations to reach for the stars.