Henry the Navigator - Political Figure, Birthday and Facts
Henry the Navigator's Personal Details
The Portugal navigator is credited for founding the first navigation school and is considered one of the pioneers in discovery of new lands
Information | Detail |
---|---|
Birthday | March 4, 1394 |
Died on | November 13, 1460 |
Nationality | Portuguese |
Famous | Inventors & Discoverers, Political Figure |
Siblings | Isabella of Portugal |
Known as | Prince Henry the Navigator, Henrique o Navegador |
Birth Place | Porto |
Religion | Catholicism |
Gender | Male |
Father | John I of Portugal |
Mother | Philippa of Lancaster |
Sun Sign | Pisces |
Born in | Porto |
Famous as | Portuguese Political figure |
Died at Age | 66 |
// Famous Political Figure
Rezā Shāh
Reza Shah was the founder of the Pahlavi dynasty and Shah of Iran from 1925 to 1941. This biography profiles his childhood, life, career, achievements and timeline
Mireya Moscoso
Mireya Moscoso was the first Female President of Panama, and of the ‘Arnulfista Party’, a leading Panamanian political organization. Read on to find detailed information about his childhood, profile, career and timeline
Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex
Robert Devereux Essex was the 2nd Earl of Essex, an English soldier and nobleman who was one of the favorites of Queen Elizabeth I.
Henry the Navigator's photo
Who is Henry the Navigator?
Considered one of the principal initiators of ‘The Age of Discovery’, a period in history that would lead to the founding of multiple new continents, Henry the Navigator of Portugal was responsible for commissioning dozens of exploration voyages in his quest to find a land of his own to rule. Born into a royal family, but not in line for the throne, his ambitions to become a king in his own right led him to send voyagers in search of the source of North African gold and new lands to conquer. While his given name was Infante Dom Henrique de Avis, he is more commonly known under the nickname given to him by biographers hundreds of years after his death. The Portuguese rarely refer to him by the moniker, because although he did fund many voyages, "Henry the Navigator" did not personally do much exploration. His exploration laid the foundation of black slavery, when his voyages returned with slaves from Africa, a practice which would spread world-wide. He is also credited by historians for founding the first navigation school. His efforts received much criticism as they were deemed a fruitless expense but when his boats returned with gold dust all his critics were mummed. The Duke in his aspiration helped make a significant contribution to the discovery of new lands
// Famous Inventors & Discoverers
Nikola Tesla
Nikola Tesla was a Serbian-American inventor, best known for his development of alternating current electrical systems. This biography of Nikola Tesla provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Thomas Newcomen
Thomas Newcomen was a British inventor who developed the world’s first steam engine. Browse through this biography to learn in details about his life, career, works and timeline.
Erno Rubik
The famous inventor and educationist, Erno Rubik is known world-wide for his invention the ‘Rubik’s Cube’. To know more about the childhood, profile, timeline and career of this famous architect-inventor read on.
Childhood & Early Life
Henry the Navigator held the title of Duke because he was the third son of King John I of Portugal and Philippa, King Henry IV of England's sister. His father's rule caused civil unrest in Portugal, which left some members of the royal family in poverty, forcing them to look for ways to recover the country's economy.
He had two brothers, both of whom were involved in navigation and exploration, which likely fueled Henry's interest in these pursuits. His older brother was named Duarte, and his younger brother's name was Pedro.
His ambition from early on was to win a kingdom for himself, which inspired him to focus on acquiring new lands.
Career
As a young man, Henry the Navigator helped Portugal defeat Muslim forces in the ‘Battle of Ceuta’. This victory led to the first permanent European military presence in North Africa and served as the starting point of his career.
On December 14, 1418, he founded his own navigation school. Modern scholars dispute whether he is rightly credited for founding this navigation school.
His brother, Pedro, had a copy of Marco Polo's travels translated from Italian to Portuguese in 1428 as a gift for Henry. This would serve to fuel his interest in focusing on exploration.
Prince Henry sailed the West Coast of Africa in search of different sea routes to the Indies in 1435. This would be one of his only voyages. Upon his return, he began sponsoring numerous commissioned voyages.
Because of Portugal's financial troubles, Henry's continued funding of investment ventures in exploration was met with extreme criticism. When one of his voyages to North Africa finally returned with gold dust in 1441, it silenced the critics who believed he was wasting money on an enterprise that would never lead to any profits for Portugal.
In 1443, one his expeditions returned with more gold dust. This expedition also came back with a new commodity: African slaves. Bringing back African slaves served as the beginnings of a practice that would lead to the enslavement of millions in the world's largest trade network involving intercontinental human trafficking.
Henry spent the majority of his last decade, from 1450 to 1460, focusing solely on voyages, while rarely leaving his castle. His main palace was located in Sarges, in the south of Portugal.
Because he had a particular obsession with The Canary Islands, Henry focused much of his attention on commissioning voyages to that region.
While he had a strong interest in exploration, he himself did little to no exploring. Henry's motivation for commissioning so many voyages was a means to an end. He wanted to secure gold and territory that he could rule from the comfort of his castle.
Major Works
Henry the Navigator is credited with founding a school for cartographers and navigators by many historians, though there is debate about whether he actually did so but his expeditions reached as far as Sierra Leone in West Africa.
Awards & Achievements
Henry is credited with founding Portugal's most important school of navigation. These travels would begin paving the way for explorers who would go on to discover the New World.
Personal Life & Legacy
Henry the Navigator is credited with being a major catalyst for the Age of Exploration, a time period marked by seafaring voyages and discoveries. In addition to his desire to attain more wealth and power, his voyages were also intended to broaden the network of Christian allies. Battles with Muslim Moors were common during the 1400's, and Christian allies could help create safe trading routes.
Like so many at the time, he also hoped to secure a new route to the Orient. After the fall of Constantinople and the subsequent rise of Istanbul, the trek to India was unsafe for European traders. The old sea routes could not be used.
Net Worth
Henry the Navigator came from a struggling royal family that found exploration and expansion to be a source of income regeneration. While the exact figures are unknown, in his later life he received funds from several sources that included the Portuguese successors to the Knights Templar.
Trivia
The famous Duke rarely left the borders of his home country of Portugal, despite being famous for exploration. He actually never went on a single exploratory voyage that went further than the coast of Africa.
While his fame rests on having founded a school for navigators and cartographers, the famous navigator may not have actually done that.
The famous personality believed that God wanted him to find the Ethiopians and to take their gold and riches for his own country.
// Famous Portuguese peoples
José Dinis Aveiro
José Dinis Aveiro was a Portuguese municipal gardener and the father of Cristiano Ronaldo. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family, struggles, personal life, etc.
Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro
Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro is the mother of famous Portuguese football player Cristiano Ronaldo. Check out this biography to know about her childhood, family, struggles, personal life, etc.
Katia Aveiro
Katia Aveiro is a Portuguese singer, TV personality, and businesswoman, better known as the sister of Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. Check out this biography to know about her childhood, family, personal life, career, achievements, etc.
Henry the Navigator biography timelines
- // 1400Henry the Navigator is credited with being a major catalyst for the Age of Exploration, a time period marked by seafaring voyages and discoveries. In addition to his desire to attain more wealth and power, his voyages were also intended to broaden the network of Christian allies. Battles with Muslim Moors were common during the 1400's, and Christian allies could help create safe trading routes.
- // 14th Dec 1418On December 14, 1418, he founded his own navigation school. Modern scholars dispute whether he is rightly credited for founding this navigation school.
- // 1428His brother, Pedro, had a copy of Marco Polo's travels translated from Italian to Portuguese in 1428 as a gift for Henry. This would serve to fuel his interest in focusing on exploration.
- // 1435Prince Henry sailed the West Coast of Africa in search of different sea routes to the Indies in 1435. This would be one of his only voyages. Upon his return, he began sponsoring numerous commissioned voyages.
- // 1441Because of Portugal's financial troubles, Henry's continued funding of investment ventures in exploration was met with extreme criticism. When one of his voyages to North Africa finally returned with gold dust in 1441, it silenced the critics who believed he was wasting money on an enterprise that would never lead to any profits for Portugal.
- // 1443In 1443, one his expeditions returned with more gold dust. This expedition also came back with a new commodity: African slaves. Bringing back African slaves served as the beginnings of a practice that would lead to the enslavement of millions in the world's largest trade network involving intercontinental human trafficking.
- // 1450 To 1460Henry spent the majority of his last decade, from 1450 to 1460, focusing solely on voyages, while rarely leaving his castle. His main palace was located in Sarges, in the south of Portugal.
// Famous Pisces Celebrities peoples
Christine Baumgartner
Christine Baumgartner is an American model and the wife of famous American actor Kevin Costner. Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.
Galina Becker
Galina Becker is a former athlete and fitness model from America. Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.
Nikkie De Jager
Check out all that you wanted to know about Nikkie De Jager, the famous Dutch Makeup artist; her birthday, her family and personal life, her boyfriends, fun trivia facts and more.
Annie Bakes
Annie Bakes is an American adult model and the ex-wife of Dennis Rodman. Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.
Jordyn Jones
Jordyn Jones is an American dancer. Let’s have a look at her family & personal life including age, date of birth, boyfriends, net worth, and fun facts.
Oscar Rosenstroem
Oscar Rosenstroem is a Danish Musical.ly star. Let’s have a look at his family and personal life including age, date of birth, girlfriends, net worth and fun facts.
Henry the Navigator's FAQ
What is Henry the Navigator birthday?
Henry the Navigator was born at 1394-03-04
When was Henry the Navigator died?
Henry the Navigator was died at 1460-11-13
Where was Henry the Navigator died?
Henry the Navigator was died in Sagres
Which age was Henry the Navigator died?
Henry the Navigator was died at age 66
Where is Henry the Navigator's birth place?
Henry the Navigator was born in Porto
What is Henry the Navigator nationalities?
Henry the Navigator's nationalities is Portuguese
Who is Henry the Navigator siblings?
Henry the Navigator's siblings is Isabella of Portugal
What is Henry the Navigator's religion?
Henry the Navigator's religion is Catholicism
Who is Henry the Navigator's father?
Henry the Navigator's father is John I of Portugal
Who is Henry the Navigator's mother?
Henry the Navigator's mother is Philippa of Lancaster
What is Henry the Navigator's sun sign?
Henry the Navigator is Pisces
How famous is Henry the Navigator?
Henry the Navigator is famouse as Portuguese Political figure