1526day.year
Lucas Vázquez de Ayllón
(1475 - 1526)
Spanish explorer
Spanish explorer
Lucas Vázquez de Ayllón was a Spanish explorer who led one of the earliest European colonization attempts in North America.
Born around 1475 in Spain, Lucas Vázquez de Ayllón traveled to the New World as an agent of Diego Colón.
In 1521, he secured a royal grant to establish settlements along the southeastern coast of North America.
He led the 1526 expedition that founded San Miguel de Gualdape, one of the first European colonies in what is now the United States.
The settlement struggled with disease, harsh conditions, and internal disputes among colonists.
Within months, the expedition was abandoned, and survivors returned to Hispaniola.
Despite its failure, Ayllón’s venture marked a significant early effort to colonize the North American mainland.
He died during the return voyage later that year, his attempt paving the way for future expeditions.
1526
Lucas Vázquez de Ayllón