Explorer · 1480 – 1521

Ferdinand Magellan

Little-Known Facts

  • Only one of his five ships, the Victoria, completed the circumnavigation, returning with a fraction of the original crew.
  • Magellan first served Portugal in Asia before offering his plan to Spain after a falling-out with the Portuguese crown.

Myths & Misconceptions

Did Magellan sail all the way around the world?

No. Magellan was killed in the Philippines in 1521; his crew, led by Juan Sebastián Elcano, completed the circumnavigation in 1522.