Research > Homework Center > Explorers > Explorers A to Z

Explorers A to Z

A

Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great: http://1stmuse.com/frames/

Detailed information about the famous leader of Greece in the fourth century BC.
Alexander the Great: http://history.boisestate.edu/westciv/alexander/

More information on Alexander, including real audio pronunciations of Greek words.

Amundsen, Roald

The Life of Roald Amundsen: http://www.mnc.net/norway/Amundsen.htm

Biography of Amundsen, the first man to reach the South Pole, from the Internet site, "ODIN," produced for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Armstrong, Neil

Neil Armstrong: http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/whos_who_level2/armstrong.html

Learn about astronaut Neil Armstrong and watch a movie of man's first steps on the moon!

Astor, John Jacob

Astor's Beechwood: http://www.astorsbeechwood.com/history.shtml

The website for the Astors' historic home in Rhode Island includes biographies of the family. This link takes you directly to the History page.
The Astorians: http://www.isu.edu/~trinmich/Discoverers.html#Astoriananchor

A brief account of the westward expedition financed by Astor.
John Jacob Astor: A Self-Invented Money-Making Machine: http://www.thehistorynet.com/ah/blastormoneymakingmachine/

A biography of Astor.

B

Beckwourth, James P.

James Pierson Beckwourth: http://library.thinkquest.org/10320/Beckwrth.htm?tqskip=1

Information about the African-American explorer and fur trader who discovered a mountain pass in the nineteenth century.
James Pierson Beckwourth: http://www.beckwourth.org/

Website dedicated to the African-American explorer and fur trader who played a major role in the early exploration and settlement of the American West.

Boone, Daniel

Daniel Boone Homestead: Virtual Tour and Map: http://www.danielboonehomestead.org/tour.htm

Take a virtual tour of his homestead.
History of Daniel Boone: http://www.danielboonehomestead.org/history.htm

Pictures of his homestead and biographical information about him.

Bluford Jr., Guion

Guion Bluford: http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/space_level2/guion_bluford.html

Brief information about the first African-American in space and a picture to color!
Guion Bluford: http://www.windows.ucar.edu/people/astronauts/bluford.html

More brief information, including a photo of Bluford.

Bridger, James

James Bridger: http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/HNS/Mtmen/jimbrid.html

Information about the famous frontiersman, trapper, and fur trader.
Jim Bridger: http://historytogo.utah.gov/people/jamesbridger.html

A biography of the frontiersmen James Bridger.

Byrd, Richard E.

Richard E. Byrd, 1888-1957: http://www.south-pole.com/p0000107.htm

A biography of the man who explored the North and South Poles, includes photographs.

C

Cabot, John

John Cabot: http://www.heritage.nf.ca/exploration/cabot.html

Learn more about Cabot's 1497 and 1498 voyages.
John Cabot: The English King's Italian Navigator: http://www.collectionscanada.ca/explorers/h24-1310-e.html

A look at John Cabot's life.
John and Sebastian Cabot: http://www.nmm.ac.uk/site/request/setTemplate:singlecontent/contentTypeA/conWebDoc/contentId/135/

Information about Cabot and his son Sebastian, in a question-and-answer format.
John and Sebastian Cabot: http://www.mariner.org/educationalad/ageofex/cabot.php

More information about the Cabots, including maps of their voyages.

Cabot, Sebastian

Sebastian Cabot: http://www.heritage.nf.ca/exploration/sebcabot.html

A biography of Cabot, including a picture.
Sebastian Cabot: http://www.win.tue.nl/cs/fm/engels/discovery/sebastian.html

Read about Cabot's voyages in his own words.

Cabrillo, Juan Rodriguez

Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo: http://www.nps.gov/cabr/juan.html

A biography of the first European to explore what is now the West Coast of the United States.
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo: http://www.win.tue.nl/cs/fm/engels/discovery/cabrillo.html

A shorter biography of Cabrillo.

Cabral, Pedro Alvarez

Pedralvarez Cabral: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03128a.htm

A biography of the sixteenth-century explorer of Brazil.

Carson, Christopher "Kit"

Christopher "Kit" Carson: http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/a_c/carson.htm

Learn about this trapper, scout and soldier of the nineteenth-century American West.

Cartier, Jacques

The Explorers: Jacques Cartier: http://www.civilization.ca/vmnf/explor/carti_e1.html

Learn about his discovery of Canadian land.
Jacques Cartier: http://www.win.tue.nl/cs/fm/engels/discovery/cartier.html

Read about the Frenchman who explored the St. Lawrence river in the sixteenth century.
Jacques Cartier (1491-1557): http://www.plpsd.mb.ca/amhs/history/cartier.html

Short biography of the explorer researched and prepared by the students at Arthur Meighen High School, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada.
The Voyages of Jacques Cartier: http://www.mariner.org/educationalad/ageofex/french.php

A short description of Cartier's two voyages.

Clark, William

William Clark: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/clark_william.shtml

BBC presents a biography.
William Clark: http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/a_c/clark.htm

PBS presents a biography.
William Clark: Biography: http://www.nps.gov/jeff/LewisClark2/CorpsOfDiscovery/TheLeaders/Clark/Clark.htm

NPS presents a biography.

Cochran, Jacqueline

Jacqueline Cochran: http://www.wasp-wwii.org/wasp/jacqueline_cochran.htm

Biography from the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), of with Jacqueline Cochran was the founder.

Colter, John

Private John Colter: http://www.pbs.org/lewisandclark/inside/jcolt.html

Learn about the man who traveled with the Lewis and Clark expedition and explored the Yellowstone area.

Columbus, Christopher

The Explorations of Christopher Columbus: http://www.mariner.org/educationalad/ageofex/columbus.php

Read about the famous fifteenth-century explorer of the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. See maps of some of his voyages.
The Columbus Navigation Homepage: http://www.columbusnavigation.com/

Examine the History, Navigation, and Landfall of Christopher Columbus.
Culinary History--Christopher Columbus: http://www.castellobanfi.com/features/story_contents.html

Did you ever wonder what Columbus and his sailors ate on their long voyages? Find out here!

Cook, James

James Cook: http://www.south-pole.com/p0000071.htm

Learn about the famous eighteenth-century explorer of the South Pacific.
Captain Cook: Voyages of Discovery: http://www.hunterian.gla.ac.uk/museum/cook/cook.html

Click on an interactive map to find out more about the places Captain Cook visited!
Cook's First Voyage: 1768-1771: http://www.muffley.net/pacific/cook/cook1.htm

A detailed description of Captain Cook's first voyage, including some quotes from his journal.

Cortes, Hernando

Hernando Cortes: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04397a.htm

Biography of the explorer.
The Conquest of the Aztec Empire: Hernan Cortes: http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/eurvoya/aztec.html

A fact sheet about the Spaniard who explored Mexico in the sixteenth century.

Cousteau, Jacques

Cousteau People: Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Founder: http://www.cousteau.org/en/heritage/captain/man.php

Information about Jacques Cousteau, "the captain", found on the Cousteau Society Web site.

Crockett, Davy

Davy Crockett: http://www.AmericanWest.com/pages/davycroc.htm

Read about the famous frontiersman who fought at the Alamo.
Davy Crockett: http://www.infoporium.com/heritage/crockett.shtml

A timeline biography, famous quotes and more about Davy Crockett.

D

da Gama, Vasco

Vasco da Gama: Around Africa to India: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1497degama.html

A biography of the Portugese explorer who discovered a sea route to the East Indies in the fifteenth century.
The Sea Route to India and Vasco da Gama: http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/eurvoya/vasco.html

A account of da Gama's famous voyage to India, including a map.

da Verrazano, Giovanni

Giovanni da Verrazano: http://www.italianhistorical.org/verrazzano.htm

Biography of the explorer.
A Visitor from Europe: http://www.newsday.com/community/guide/lihistory/ny-history-hs213a,0,5715900.story

Long Island History website presents Verrazano's role in the exploration and discovery of the area.

de Balboa, Vasco Nunez

Vasco Nunez de Balboa: http://coloquio.com/famosos/balboa.html

Read about the first European to see the eastern shore of the Pacific Ocean.
Vasco Nuñez de Balboa: http://www.win.tue.nl/~engels/discovery/balboa.html

A biography of Balboa with links to other sites.

de Champlain, Samuel

Samuel de Champlain: http://tqjunior.thinkquest.org/4034/champlain.html?tqskip=1

Read about Champlain, the Frenchman who explored Canada in the seventeenth century. website includes links to more information.
Samuel de Champlain: http://www.blupete.com/Hist/BiosNS/1600-00/Champlain.htm

One of the greatest figures in Canada's early history, Champlain is known as the "Father of New France."
Samuel de Champlain, Voyages: http://www.vlib.us/amdocs/texts/champlai.html

Text from Samuel de Champlain's Voyages wrtiten in 1604.

de Coronado, Francisco Vásquez

Francisco Vásquez de Coronado: http://www.win.tue.nl/cs/fm/engels/discovery/coronado.html

Brief biography and summary of his explorations.
Francisco Vázquez de Coronado: http://www.desertusa.com/mag98/sep/papr/coronado.html

This website discusses Coronado's excursion through the US southwest through to Mexico.
Francisco Vásquez de Coronado: http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/a_c/coronado.htm

PBS online presents a short biography of Coronado with links to further information.

de Leon, Juan Ponce

Juan Ponce de Leon: Explorer: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/explorers/page/d/deleon.shtml

A history of his explorations and a map. You may need to scroll down.
Ponce de Leon: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12228a.htm

Biography and how he discovered Florida.

de Soto, Hernando

Hernando De Soto: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04753a.htm

A biography of the explorer.
Hernando de Soto State Archaeological Site: http://www.taltrust.org/de_soto.htm

This page contains a brief overview of de Soto's life and accomplishments. Scroll down to Significant Dates" and "Facts and Figures".

de Vaca, Alvar Nunez Cabeza

Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca: http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/a_c/cabezadevaca.htm

Site provides a biography of de Vaca, as well as his own account of his journey, considered "one of the most amazing feats of exploration in the Americas".
Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca: Pioneer Historian, Ethnologist, Physician: http://www.library.txstate.edu/swwc/cdv/further_study/historian_ethnologist.pdf

A thorough biography of Cabeza de Vaca's exploring years.

Drake, Sir Francis

Sir Francis Drake: http://www.mcn.org/2/oseeler/drake.htm

A synopsis of his voyage around the world, his discovery of llamas, his encounters with Native Americans, and a Kids page all at this site. Lots of information about Drake and his explorations, including Drake's genealogy, controversies regarding his travels, and a synopsis of the voyage.
Sir Francis Drake: http://sirfrancisdrakehistory.net/

Read about his life, his discoveries, and more.
Sir Francis Drake Fact File: http://www.nmm.ac.uk/site/request/setTemplate:singlecontent/contentTypeA/conWebDoc/
contentId/140

An FAQ list of Sir Francis Drake. Questions address his birth, marriage, the voyage, and much more.

E

Earhart, Amelia

Amelia Earhart: http://www.ellensplace.net/ae_intro.html

A good overview of her life from her birth to her final flight. Includes photographs. Also available in Spanish - en Español.
The World of Amelia Earhart Timeline: http://teacher.scholastic.com/earhart/timeline/timeline.htm

Includes an interactive timeline of events and many photographs.
The Earhart Project: http://www.tighar.org/Projects/Earhart/AEdescr.html

The home page of an organization determined to discover the facts behind and reasons for Earhart's disappearance. Disputes myths surrounding her last flight, provides the last log entries, includes witness accounts.

Ericsson, Leif

The Discovery of North America by Leif Ericsson: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1000Vinland.html

Modern History Sourcebook presents a history of Ericsson's discovery.
Leif Erikson: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/erikson_leif.shtml

BBC biography of Ericsson.

Estevanico

The Estevanico Society: http://www.estevanico.org/

Review the history of Estevanico, born in Morocco in 1503, who was sold as a slave, became a man servant, then accompanied Andres de Dorantes on an exploration of Florida.

F

Franklin

Sir John Franklin: http://www.cronab.demon.co.uk/frank.htm

"The saga of Sir John Franklin who, in 1845, set out to find the North-West Passage with 134 men in two ships, Erebus and Terror. They were seen by a whaler waiting to enter the ice of Baffin Bay and from that July day they were never seen again alive." Find out more about Franklin here.

Frobisher, Martin

Martin Frobisher: http://collections.ic.gc.ca/arctic/explore/frobishe.htm

Biography and map of his route.

G

Gray, Robert

Capt. Gray Sails the Columbia: http://www.aracnet.com/~histgaz/hgv1n7.htm

Short biography of the man who discovered the Columbia River on May 11, 1792 while on a fur trading expedition on the Northwest Coast.

H

Henry, Prince

Henry the Navigator: http://www.blackstudies.ucsb.edu/antillians/henry.html

A biography of Henry the Navigator from UCSB.
Prince Henry the Navigator: http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/eurvoya/henry1.html

This website from the University of Calgary presents Henry the Navigator's life as explorer and tradesman.

Henson, Matthew

Matthew Henson: http://www.matthewhenson.com/matt2.htm

Co-discoverer of the North Pole, visit this website to view maps of their trip, information about the movie, grave website and Web links. See also Robert Peary.
Matthew Henson Biography: http://www.mdw.army.mil/content/anmviewer.asp?a=127

Co-discoverer of the North Pole.

Hudson, Henry

The Life and Voyages of Henry Hudson, Explorer and Adventurer: http://www.ianchadwick.com/hudson/

An extensive six part biography of Hudson, including Early Years and personal data; Hudson's first voyage,1607; Hudson's second voyage, 1608; Hudson's third voyage,1609; Hudson's fourth voyage, 1610; Hudson's last journal: a short story.
Voyage Route: http://collections.ic.gc.ca/arctic/explore/hudson_map.htm

Map of Henry Hudson's route.

J

Joliet, Louis

Louis Joliet: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08496a.htm

Biography and his role in Mississippi exploration.

L

La Salle, René-Robert Cavelier Sieur de

René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle: North American Explorer: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/explorers/page/l/lasalle.shtml

Map and biography included.

Meriwether Lewis

Meriwether Lewis: Biography: http://www.nps.gov/jeff/LewisClark2/CorpsOfDiscovery/TheLeaders/Lewis/Lewis.htm

NPS presents a biography.
Meriwether Lewis: http://www.pbs.org/lewisandclark/inside/mlewi.html

PBS presents a biography.

M

McAuliffe, Christa

Christa McAuliffe's Story: http://www.starhop.com/cm_bio.htm

Biography of the Teacher in Space, who died in the space shuttle Challenger explosion in 1986.

McNair, Ronald

Ronald E. McNair: http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/mcnair.html

NASA biography of the astronaut who died in the space shuttle Challenger explosion in 1986.

Magellan, Ferdinand

Ferdinand Magellan: http://www.mariner.org/educationalad/ageofex/magellan.php

Short biography.
Modern History Sourcebook: Magellan's Voyage Around the World: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1519magellan.html

A history of his voyages.

Marquette, Jacques

Jacques Marquette: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09690a.htm

Biography and role in exploring the midwest.

P

Peary, Robert

Robert Peary Biography: http://www.mdw.army.mil/content/anmviewer.asp?a=128

Biography of the co-discoverer of the North Pole. See also, Matthew Henson.
Robert Edwin Peary: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.com/roberted.htm

More information on the co-discoverer of the North Pole in the early 20th century. See also, Matthew Henson.

Pizarro, Francisco

The Conquest of the Inca Empire: Francisco Pizarro: http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/eurvoya/inca.html

Biography, tutorial and more.

Pocahontas

Four Faces of Pocahontas: http://www.co.henrico.va.us/manager/pokeypix.htm

Biography of Pocahontas.
Pocahontas: http://www.incwell.com/Biographies/Pocahontas.html

Biography of Pocahontas.
Pocahontas: http://www.apva.org/history/pocahont.html

Biography of Pocahontas and image.
The Real Pocahontas: http://pocahontas.morenus.org/

Compares the myth with the reality.
The Story of Princess Pocahontas: http://www.stgeorgesgravesend.org.uk/Pages/pocstory.htm

St. George's Church, where Pocahontas' grave is, provides a biography.

Polo, Marco

Marco Polo and His Travels: http://www.silk-road.com/artl/marcopolo.shtml

Brief biography of Marco Polo's travels throughout Asia.

Powell, John Wesley

The Story of Major Powell: http://www.canyon-country.com/lakepowell/jwpowell.htm

Brief biography of Major John Wesley Powell, namesake of Lake Powell.

R

Ride, Sally

Sally Kristen Ride - First American Woman in Space: http://www2.lucidcafe.com/lucidcafe/library/96may/ride.html

Biography of Sally Ride.

S

Sacagawea

Who Was Sacagewea?: http://www.pbs.org/lewisandclark/living/4.html

PBS presents a biography and explains how she aided the expedition.
Sacagewea: http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/s_z/sacagawea.htm

PBS presents a biography.
Sakakawea: http://www.state.nd.us/hist/sakakawea.htm

What is the story behind this famous Native American woman? Find out here.
The Sacagewea Mystique: Her Name, Age, Role and Final Destiny: http://www.washingtonhistory.org/wshm/lewisandclark/sacagawea.htm

Columbia: Magazine of the Northwest provides commentary about Sacagawea.

Seaman, the dog

Seaman: http://www.pbs.org/lewisandclark/inside/seaman.html

Find out more about the dog who followed Meriwether Lewis along the expedition.
Corps of Discovery: Seaman: http://www.nps.gov/jeff/LewisClark2/CorpsOfDiscovery/TheOthers/Seaman.htm

This NPS website provides historic information about Seaman.
Seaman: http://lewisandclarktrail.com/seaman.htm

Learn more about the Newfoundland breed and the dog that accompanied the expedition.

Shackleton, Ernest

The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expediction: http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/shackleton/

Learn about Shackleton's expedition and the difficult times they had while there.

Slocum, Joshua

Joshua Slocum and His Travels: http://www.joshuaslocumsocietyintl.org/jshistory.htm

The first man to sail around the world by himself, this website gives a timeline of his life along with a map of his journey.

Smith, Jedediah

Jedediah S. Smith: http://historytogo.utah.gov/people/jedediahssmith.html

"Jedediah S. Smith was a trailblazer, brigade leader, and partner in two fur-trading companies whose travels took him throughout Utah and the West."

V

Vespucci, Amerigo

Amerigo Vespucci: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15384b.htm

Short biography of this explorer.
Modern History Sourcebook: Vespucci: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1497vespucci-america.html

An account of his first voyage.

Y

York

Discovering Lewis and Clark: Fallout Over Freedom: http://www.lewis-clark.org/content/content-channel.asp?ChannelID=166

Learn about the conflict between York and Clark.
Lewis and Clark Expedition was High Point for Clark's Slave: http://www.montana.edu/wwwpb/univ/york.html

This website introduces who York was and his experience on the expedition.
The Slave York: http://www.time.com/time/2002/lewis_clark/lyork.html

Time magazine presents this biography.
What Was Life Like for York, Clark's Black Slave?: http://www.pbs.org/lewisandclark/living/idx_5.html

PBS presents three scholars' thoughts on York and his life.
York: http://www.nps.gov/jeff/LewisClark2/CorpsOfDiscovery/TheOthers/Civilians/York.htm

The National Park Service presents this biography.