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Hernando de Soto, a 16th century Spanish explorer and conquistador, is considered one of the most influential figures in the history of European exploration and the colonization of the Americas. Not to be confused with the famous conquistador Francisco de Soto, Hernando de Soto embarked on numerous expeditions, most notably in present-day Florida, the southeastern United States, and what is now Peru. His explorations, resolute spirit, and interactions with native populations left an indelible mark on the history of the Americas, leading to profound cultural, economic, and political transformations. In this introduction, we will delve into the life, accomplishments, and impact of Hernando de Soto.

(1500-1542)

Table of Contents

Who Was Hernando de Soto?

In the early 1530s, while on Francisco Pizarro’s expedition, Hernando de Soto helped conquer Peru. In 1539 he set out for North America, where he discovered the Mississippi River. De Soto died of fever on May 21, 1542, in Ferriday, Louisiana. In his will, de Soto named Luis de Moscoso Alvarado the new leader of the expedition.

Early Life

De Soto was born c. 1500 to a noble but poor family in Jerez de los Caballeros, Spain. He was raised at the family manor. A generous patron named Pedro Arias Dávila funded de Soto’s education at the University of Salamanca. De Soto’s family hoped he would become a lawyer, but he told his father he would rather explore the West Indies.

In accordance with his wish, the young de Soto was invited to join Dávila, governor of Darién, on his 1514 expedition to the West Indies. An excellent horseman, de Soto was appointed captain of a cavalry exploration troop. Setting out from Panama to Nicaragua and later Honduras, de Soto quickly proved his worth as an explorer and trader, reaping large profits through his bold and commanding exchanges with the natives.

Conquest of Peru

In 1532, explorer Pizarro made de Soto second in command on Pizarro’s expedition to explore and conquer Peru. While exploring the country’s highlands in 1533, de Soto came upon a road leading to Cuzco, the capital of Peru’s Incan Empire. De Soto played a fundamental role in organizing the conquest of Peru and engaged in a successful battle to capture Cuzco.

In 1536 de Soto returned to Spain a wealthy man. His share of the Incan Empire’s fortune amounted to no less than 18,000 ounces of gold. De Soto settled into a comfortable life in Seville and married the daughter of his old patron Dávila a year after returning from Peru.

Exploring North America

Despite having a new wife and home in Spain, de Soto grew restless when he heard stories about Cabeza de Vaca’s exploration of Florida and the other Gulf Coast states. Enticed by the riches and fertile land de Vaca had allegedly encountered there, de Soto sold all his belongings and used the money to prepare for an expedition to North America. He assembled a fleet of 10 ships and selected a crew of 700 men based on their fighting prowess.

On April 6, 1538, de Soto and his fleet departed Sanlúcar. On their way to the United States, de Soto and his fleet stopped in Cuba. While there, they were delayed by helping the city of Havana recover after the French sacked and burned it. By May 18, 1539, de Soto and his fleet at last set out for Florida. On May 25 they landed at Tampa Bay. For the next three years, de Soto and his men explored the southeastern United States, facing ambushes and enslaving natives along the way. After Florida came Georgia and then Alabama. In Alabama, de Soto encountered his worst battle yet, against Indians in Tuscaloosa. Victorious, de Soto and his men next headed westward, serendipitously discovering the mouth of the Mississippi River in the process. De Soto’s voyage would, in fact, mark the first time that a European team of explorers had traveled via the Mississippi River.

Death

After crossing the Mississippi de Soto was struck with fever. He died on May 21, 1542, in Ferriday, Louisiana. Members of his crew sank his body in the river that he had discovered. By that time, almost half of de Soto’s men had been taken out by disease or in battle against the Indians. In his will, de Soto named Luis de Moscoso Alvarado the new leader of the expedition.

QUICK FACTS

Name: Hernando de Soto
Birth Year: 1500
Birth City: Jerez de los Caballeros
Birth Country: Spain
Gender: Male
Best Known For: Hernando de Soto was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who participated in the conquests of Central America and Peru and discovered the Mississippi River.
Industries

War and Militaries

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Spanish

Death Year: 1542
Death date: May 21, 1542
Death State: Louisiana
Death City: Ferriday
Death Country: United States

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CITATION INFORMATION

Article Title: Hernando de Soto Biography
Author: Biography.com Editors
Website Name: The Biography.com website
Url: https://www.biography.com/history-culture/hernando-de-soto
Access Date:
Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
Last Updated: June 24, 2021
Original Published Date: April 2, 2014

In conclusion, Hernando de Soto was a significant explorer and conquistador who played a crucial role in the colonization and exploration of the Americas during the 16th century. Through his expeditions, de Soto made important discoveries, such as being the first European to cross the Mississippi River. Despite his brutal treatment of indigenous populations and his participation in the enslavement of Native Americans, de Soto’s legacy cannot be disregarded. He paved the way for future Spanish expeditions and settlements in the New World, and his exploration greatly expanded the knowledge and understanding of the American continent. However, it is important to acknowledge the lasting negative effects of his actions on indigenous populations and to continue engaging in critical discussions about the ethics and consequences of European colonization.