Famous explorers have filled the history of the Western Hemisphere since the beginning of written history. But, history does not just record famous explorers for their contributions to American history. A list of explorers would easily include Christopher Columbus and his exploration. Famous, worldwide, and innovative would all be words historians could use to describe his trip to the New World.

Other famous explorers would include another European explorer, Sir Frances Drake, who circumnavigated the earth. It seems that the history of the most famous explorers hovers in Europe, with yet another famous explorer. Famous French explorer Samuel de Champlain spent most of his life exploring and charting the land that is today Canada.

Yet, our list of famous explorers would not be complete without mentioning a modern day explorer. Famous polar explorer Robert Edwin Peary was one of the only explorers who successfully reached the North Pole. But not all famous explorers were men. A list of famous explorers would not be complete without the famous female explorer, Sally Ride, who was the first woman to orbit the earth.

Christopher Columbus: Fool Or Hero?

Christopher Columbus was a Portuguese born explorer, famous for “discovering” the New World. While Columbus was not, in fact, the first European explorer to land on the New World, he did travel across the Atlantic Ocean and explore some of the West Indies during a time when there was plenty of opposition to the work of the explorer. Famous world explorers from across Europe claimed that the world was flat, and those that believed it was round did not feel it would be possible to sail completely around the globe.

Columbus did not set sail with the goal of discovering a new land, like many a famous explorer. Spanish interests lay in finding a quick route to the richness found in China and India. Columbus set sail looking for a way to reach India by sailing west, instead of going across land to the east. In fact, when he landed in the Western Hemisphere, Columbus mistakenly thought he was in India.

Columbus was from Portugal, but the Portuguese monarchs were not interested in supporting his travels. They felt it was a foolish way to spend their money, so he took his proposition to Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain. These monarchs saw the economic benefit they would gain from finding the route Columbus believed was there, so they funded his journey.

Even though historians believe now that the Vikings were the first Europeans to explore the New World, Columbus remains famous because it was his first voyage that opened the eyes of fifteenth century Europe to the possibilities awaiting them in the western hemisphere

Sir Francis Drake: Bravery in a Sailor

A discussion of famous explorers must include another innovative European explorer, Sir Francis Drake. He became world famous when he was the first English ship captain to successfully circumnavigate the world. The Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth, commissioned his trip.

The goal of Drake’s expedition was to fight against several Spanish holdings in the New World. During the height of European exploration, Spain and England were at odds, trying to gain the most holdings in the new world, as well as attempting to control the sea route to the eastern parts of the world. Because of this, Drake’s exploration was especially important to Queen Elizabeth for economic and military reasons.

The voyage was not easy. Drake left with five ships and more than 150 men. He lost two ships in South America after successfully crossing the Atlantic. A third ship was destroyed when they reached the Pacific, and the storm was so intense that the fourth ship turned around to head back to England. Of the five ships he started with, Drake returned with only one. Along his voyage, Drake discovered many islands in both the Atlantic and Pacific and claimed them for England. He also brought new spices to England from the countries he explored.

French Explorer Samuel de Champlain

Another New World explorer, famous French explorer Samuel de Champlain, spent most of his life traveling in what is today Canada. He claimed much of the northern parts of North America for France, and it is for this reason that much of Canada speaks French today.

Henry IV, king of France, funded Champlain’s voyage and exploration. He wanted Champlain to find the Northwest Passage, a waterway that Europeans believed connected the Atlantic to the Pacific through North America. Although he was unsuccessful in finding this passage, since it does not exist, Champlain did explore the Great Lakes. He also founded what is today Quebec, and spent his life trying to make peace with the native people of the land.

Robert Edwin Peary: Arctic Fame

An American explorer, famous polar explorer Robert Edwin Peary, must be included in a discussion of famous explorers. He spent much of his life exploring the Arctic, and found success where others failed, because he studied the survival techniques of the native Inuit peoples. He learned how to build igloos, dress warm enough to survive, and even drive a team of sled dogs to explore the Arctic.

Peary’s expedition was funded by many private organizations, including the National Geographic Society. Because he did not have national funding, one of the biggest hurdles Peary had to overcome was finding organizations willing to pay for his journeys. This activity was one that took up much of the time of this famous American explorer. Famous for his disagreements with fellow explorer Frederick Cook, most historians believe Peary to be the first man to reach the North Pole. Frederick Cook claimed to have reached this point a year earlier, but this was later proven to be fraudulent.

One of the most interesting facts about Peary actually applies to his wife, Josephine. She joined him on several of his expeditions, and gave birth to their daughter while on a trip to the arctic.

Sally Ride: A Woman in Space

Sally Ride makes the list of famous explorers, though many do not think of her in the traditional sense of the word explorer. Famous woman explorer Sally Ride was the first American woman to orbit the earth from outer space. She was born during a time when women stayed home with the kids, and men did the technical jobs. In college, she earned a Bachelor Degree in Physics, and went on to receive both a Master’s and Ph.D. in the subject.

In the late 1970s, Dr. Ride was accepted into the astronaut-training program, which would launch her career as a modern American explorer. Famous for her tenacity in a mostly male field, Dr. Ride completed two flights on the Space Shuttle Challenger. She has inspired many young women to pursue degrees and vocations in the sciences, challenging the idea that men should rule the scientific world.