Gaspar de Espinosa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gaspar de Espinosa
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Bust of Gaspar de Espinosa in Natá de los Caballeros.
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| Acting Governor of Santo Domingo and oidor of the Real Audiencia of Santo Domingo | |
| In office 1524–1527 |
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| Monarch | Charles I |
| Preceded by | Diego Colón |
| Succeeded by | Sebastián Ramírez de Fuenleal |
| Lieutenant Governor General of Panamá | |
| In office October 1533 – January 1534 |
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| Monarch | Charles I |
| Preceded by | Diego Gutiérrez de los Ríos y Aguayo |
| Succeeded by | Pedro Ramírez de Quiñones |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1484 Medina de Rioseco, Crown of Castile |
| Died | 14 February 1537 Cusco, New Toledo |
| Profession | Oidor, explorer, conquistador, military, and governor |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Spanish Empire |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
Gaspar de Espinosa y Luna (born around 1484 in Medina de Rioseco, Spain – died February 14, 1537, in Cuzco, Peru) was an important Spanish explorer, conquistador (a Spanish soldier who explored and conquered new lands), and politician. He was part of an expedition led by Pedro Arias Dávila to a region called Darién. There, he became the mayor of Santa María la Antigua del Darién.
Espinosa also started legal actions against Vasco Núñez de Balboa. He helped conquer parts of what is now Costa Rica. After living in Spain for a while, he returned to America. He then joined Francisco Pizarro and Diego de Almagro in their efforts to conquer the Inca Empire.
Early Life and Family Business
Gaspar de Espinosa was born into a family of successful merchants and bankers. Their main business was managing trade between Flanders (a region in Europe) and Castile (a region in Spain). This trade was directed from their hometown of Medina de Rioseco.
Later, his family moved to Seville, a city in Spain. This move helped them grow their wealth even more through trade with the "Indies," which was the name given to the newly explored lands in America. His family eventually started a bank. This bank quickly became very important for trade happening across Europe and in the New World.
Adventures in the New World
When he was in his middle age, Gaspar de Espinosa sailed for the Spanish Crown. In 1513, he was chosen to be the mayor of a region called Castilla del Oro. A year later, he joined the expedition of Pedrarias Dávila to Darién.
He played a role in founding the city of Panama in 1519. He was also appointed mayor of Santa María la Antigua del Darién. Espinosa led an expedition along the Pacific coast of Central America. He was one of the key people involved in discovering the Gulf of Nicoya.
In 1520, he led another expedition to Veragua with Hernando de Soto. After these adventures, he went back to Spain. However, he soon returned to America to serve as a ruler in Santo Domingo and Panama.
Finally, Gaspar de Espinosa traveled to Peru. With help from his family, he provided money to support the expedition of Francisco Pizarro and Diego de Almagro. He also tried to help Pizarro and Almagro settle their disagreements, but he was not successful.
Espinosa's family had strong connections with the royal court during the early 1500s. They provided much of the money for an expedition to the Moluccas in 1525. They had also helped fund the conquest of Peru before that.
Images for kids
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Gaspar de Espinosa's signature.
See also
In Spanish: Gaspar de Espinosa para niños
