Profile of the Day: Juan Ponce de León

Posted March 27, 2015 by Amanda | No Comment

Juan Ponce de León

On this day in 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León sighted present-day Florida. The famous explore was the first to lead a European expedition to the peninsula. According to legend, Ponce de León was on a quest for the Fountain of Youth, the mythical water source said to bring eternal youth to those who drank from it.

Ponce de León was born in the village of Santervás de Campos, Spain in 1460. Born to a noble family, he sought fame and fortune in exploration. After hearing stories of fertile land and gold in Puerto Rico, the Spanish crown sent Ponce de León to explore the island in 1508. The expedition proved to be a success and he was appointed governor of Puerto Rico.

In 1513, Ponce de León led an expedition in search of the rumored island of Bimini. Along the way, he and his men landed on the coast of Florida. Although no historical documentation specifically mentions a deliberate search for the Fountain of Youth, Ponce de León will perhaps forever be associated with its quest.

Juan Ponce de León is connected to over 89 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?