1470?-1528

Spanish conquistador and colonial official who explored Cuba, Mexico, and Florida in search of gold and glory for himself and Spain. In 1498, Narváez emigrated to Hispaniola to seek adventure and fortune as a soldier. He participated in the conquest of Jamaica (1509) before commanding part of an expeditionary army sent to survey and conquer the island of Cuba (1511-1518). After an unsuccessful attempt in 1520 to wrestle control of New Spain (present-day Mexico) from Hernán Cortés during which he lost an eye and was imprisoned, Narváez eventually returned to Spain. In 1526, he was appointed governor of Florida by King Charles I of Spain and was sent to explore and conquer the lands between Florida and northeastern Mexico. He was lost at sea in the Gulf of Mexico in 1528.