Hernando de Soto
~1500–1542 · Spanish · Spanish Conquest of the Americas
Known for: Led the first European expedition through the American Southeast, discovering the Mississippi River
Hernando de Soto was a Spanish conquistador who participated in the conquest of the Inca Empire with Pizarro, grew wealthy, and then launched his own massive expedition through what is now the southeastern United States. He spent three years leading 600 men through Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas.
He was the first European to document the Mississippi River, crossing it in 1541. He died of fever on the banks of the Mississippi and his men sank his body in the river to prevent indigenous peoples from learning of his death. His expedition was a financial disaster but mapped an enormous territory.
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