Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer and navigator from the Republic of Genoa who between 1492 and 1504 completed four Spanish-based voyages across the Atlantic Ocean under the patronage of the Spanish king and queen, the Catholic Monarchs. He landed on various Caribbean islands, including Hispaniola (now Haiti and the Dominican Republic), and explored the coasts of Central and South America, opening the way for the widespread European exploration and colonization of the Americas • Wikipedia►

The lands he "discovered" were already inhabited by indigenous peoples. His arrival had unfortunate consequences for these populations, leading to disease, slavery, and the destruction of their cultures.