Born c.1480,
Sabrosa or Pôrto, Portugal
Died April 27, 1521,
Mactan, Philippines

A member of the Portuguese nobility, Ferdinand Magellan was born the son of Rui de Magalhaes and Alda de Mesquita in about 1480; his Portuguese name was Fernâo de Magalhaes. He grew up in the royal household. Magellan had been on several Portuguese voyages to the East Indies, the first of which sailed around the Cape of Good Hope in 1505. On these trips he learned about the Eastern spice trade. After his last voyage to the East Indies, Magellan fought with the Portuguese at the town of Azemmour in Morocco; during the battle he suffered a leg wound that left him lame for the rest of his life.

Enters service of Spain

When Magellan returned from Morocco to Portugal, he was falsely accused of corruption. Although he was later acquitted, King Manuel II...