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Explorers historical figures

Explore historical figures known as Explorers. Read concise biographies, learn key facts, and play a quiz focused on this collection.

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14 figures

Illustration representing Ibn Battuta

Ibn Battuta

Morocco · 1304–1368/1369

Explorer & scholar

Painted portrait believed to depict Vasco da Gama

Vasco da Gama

Portugal · c. 1460s–1524

Explorer & navigator

Historical illustration of Marco Polo

Marco Polo

Italy · 1254–1324

Merchant & explorer

Portrait of Ferdinand Magellan

Ferdinand Magellan

Portugal · 1480–1521

Explorer & navigator

Painted portrait said to depict Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus

Italy · 1451–1506

Explorer & navigator

Depiction of Sacagawea with the Lewis and Clark Expedition

Sacagawea

United States · c. 1788–1812

Guide and interpreter

Portrait of astronaut Neil Armstrong

Neil Armstrong

United States · 1930–2012

Astronaut

Portrait of astronaut Alan Shepard

Alan Shepard

United States · 1923–1998

Astronaut

Statue commemorating Admiral Zheng He

Zheng He

China · 1371–1433/1435

Admiral and diplomat

Photograph of Fridtjof Nansen

Fridtjof Nansen

Norway · 1861–1930

Explorer and humanitarian

Photograph of Roald Amundsen

Roald Amundsen

Norway · 1872–1928

Polar explorer

Photograph of Thor Heyerdahl

Thor Heyerdahl

Norway · 1914–2002

Explorer and ethnographer

Photograph of Mae Jemison

Mae Jemison

United States · born 1956

Astronaut and physician

Portrait of Captain James Cook

James Cook

United Kingdom · 1728–1779

Explorer & naval officer