P

Pedro Páez (Spain, 1564-1622)

1618: First European to see the sources of the Blue Nile.

Siegbert Uhlig: Paez, Pedro (in German)

William Gifford Palgrave (England, 1826-1888)

1862: Crosses the Nefud desert and the Nedjd. First European to cross Arabia from west to east.

Atheneum: Mr. W. Gifford Palgrave (Obituary)

Gifford Palgrave: Narrative of a Year's Journey through Central and Eastern Arabia (preface only)

David Latané: The Palgraves: A Victorian Chronology

John Palliser (Ireland, 1817-1887)

1847-8: Undertakes a hunting expedition in North America.

1857-9: Explores the region between Lake Superior and the Rockies for possibilities of colonization. Explores mountain passes throught the Canadian Rockies.

1869: During an expedition hunting for walrus sails to 30 miles north of Novaya Zemlya.

T.J. Simmonds: Captain John Palliser, CMG, 1817-1887

Our Heritage: John Palliser's Exploration of the Canadian Rockies

University of Calgary department of history: John Palliser, Henry Youle Hind and Simon Dawson

Nathaniel B. Palmer (USA, 1799-1877)

1820: Discovers the Antarctic peninsula. Whether or not he was the first to do so (several discoveries have been claimed for the same year) is not known.

Mungo Park (Scotland, 1771-1806)

1795-7: Travels from the Gambia and the Niger, and confirms the latter direction of flow.

1805-6: Returns to the Niger, and travels down the river. Is murdered near the rapids of Bussa.

Robinson Research: In Search of the Niger River: Mungo Park

Lodace: Personnages célèbres: Mungo Park (in French)

Fortnightly Club of Redlands, California: Mungo Park & 6he opening of the Niger: The race to Timbuktu

Mungo Park: Travels into the interior of Africa (fragment)

William Edward Parry (England, 1790-1855)

1818: Second-in-command of John Ross's expedition to Baffin Bay.

1819-20: Searching for the Northwest Passage, sails through Lancaster Sound and further west to 110° West longitude at Melville Island.

1821-3: Searches a western outlet of Foxe Bassin. Discovers Fury and Hecla Strait, but finds it blocked by ice. Explores Melville Peninsula.

1824-5: Explores Prince Regent Inlet.

1827: Tries to reach the North Pole, and gets to 82°45' North, a latitude which was not improved on until 1876.

Canadian Arctic Prophiles: Edward Parry - 1819-1820, 1821-1823, 1824-1825 (in French)

Julius von Payer (Germany, 1842-1915)

1871: With Weyprecht, intends to explore the region between Spitsbergen (Svalbard) and Novaya Zemlya, but finds no break in the ice.

1872-4: With Weyprecht, lets himself be stuck in the ice for an exploration of the region. Discovers and explores Franz Josef Land.

chronology

Robert Edwin Peary (USA, 1856-1920)

1886: Penetrates 100 miles inland onto the Greenland icecap.

1891-2: Explores northern Greenland. Reaches Independence Fjord.

1893-5: Again travels to northern Greenland.

1896-7: Returns to Greenland for scientific exploration.

1898-1902: Attempts to reach the North Pole, reaching 84°16' North. Discovers Cape Morris Jessup, the northernmost point of Greenland.

1905-6: Tries to reach the North Pole from Ellesmere Island. Reaches 87°6' North, further north than anyone before.

1908-9: First to reach the North Pole - there are however still people who doubt whether he really did.

Compton's Encyclopedia: Peary, Robert Edwin

Thinkquest: The North Pole: Robert Edwin Peary (same page in Dutch)

Thinkquest: Biography: Robert Peary

The American Experience: Robert Peary: To the Top of the World

Arlington National Cemetary: Robert Edwin Peary. Rear Admiral, United States Navy

Heidi, Katrina & Farrah: Robert Edwin Peary & The North Pole 1900-1910

PolarFlight: The Cook-Peary North Pole Dispute

Keith Pickering: Peary at the Pole? Doubtful!

New York Times (1905): Bolder Dash for Pole Next Time, Says Peary

Robert E. Peary, jr.: Introduction to Peary's Eagle Island

Matthew Henson

François Pelsaert (also known as Francisco Pelsaert)

1629: Shipwrecks on the Houtman Abrolhos, reefs near the Australian westcoast. Builds a boat to sail to Batavia to get help. When he returns, finds that mutiny has broken out among those left behind.

The Grey Company: The Batavia

Western Australian Museum: The Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie retourschip Batavia

VITA: Pelsaert and the Wreck and Mutiny of the Batavia

Swan River Settlement: Francisco Pelsaert

John Pinkerton: Early Australian Voyages: Pelsaert, Tasman, Dampier

Diego Dionisio de Peñalosa Briceño y Berdugo (Spain/Peru, 1621-1687)

1662: Makes an expedition to the northeast from New Mexico to look for Quivira. This is now known to have been a false claim by him, although it is true that he was governor of New Mexico from 1661 to 1664.

Handbook of Texas Online: Peñalosa Briceño y Berdugo, Diego Dionisio de

Addison Erwin Sheldon: Don Diego de Penalosa

William Penn (England, 1644-1718)

1677: Involved in the creation of the colony of West New Jersey.

1681: Gets the rights to the colony of Pennsylvania and settles it.

Juan Josef Pérez Hernández (Spain, 1725?-1775)

1769: Sails some of the first Spanish colonists to (Alta) California.

1774: Explores the American Northwest Coast northward from California to 60° North.

1775: Second-in-command of Hezeta's expedition up the northwest coast.

W.J. Langlois: Captain Cook and the Spanish Explorers on the Coast (excerpt)

Diego Pérez de Luxán (Spain)

1582-3: Wrote a report of the voyage of Antonio de Espejo.

Handbook of Texas Online: Pérez de Luxán, Diego

Nicolas Perrot (France, 1644?-1717)

1660-1701: Makes a number of voyages to the area which is now Wisconsin. Ensures good relationships between the French and the Indians of the region.

Virtual Museum of New-France: Nicolas Perrot. The Undervalued Diplomat

Jamie Kneisler: Nicolas Perrot: Early Wisconsinite

Andrés de Pez y Malzáragga (Spain, 1657-1723)

1687-9: Member of various expeditions to look for La Salle. Explores parts of the American coast and is among the first European group to navigate the Rio Grande.

Arthur Phillip (England, 1738-1814)

1788-93: First governor of Australia. Founds the city of Sydney.

Instructions from the Home Secretary, Lord Sydney to Captain Arthur Phillip

Pieter Pietersz

1636: Takes over the command in the expedition of Pool after the latter's death. Discovers a part of the Australian north coast, west of Arnhemland.

Antonio Francesco Pigafetta (also known as Antonio Lombardo Pigafetta, Italy, 1491?-1534?)

1519-22: One of the survivors of Magalhães' expedition around the world. Writes the report of the voyage.

Fernão de Magalhães

Zebulon Montgomery Pike (USA, 1779-1813)

1805-6: Explores the upper Mississippi. Discovers Cass Lake, which he mistakenly believes to be the river's source.

1806-7: Travels up the Arkansas to the Rockies. Travels to the headwaters of the Rio Grande, claiming to have mistaken them for those of the Red River. Is captured by the Spanish and taken to Chihuahua before being allowed to return to Natchitoches.

David L. Wood: Zebulon Montgomery Pike

Handbook of Texas Online: Pike, Zebulon Montgomery

author unknown: Zebulon Montgomery Pike

Zebulon Montgomery Pike: An Account of Expeditions to the Sources of the Mississippi and Through the Western Parts of Louisiana...

Wallace L. McKeehan: Lt. Zebulon Pike's Diary: New Mexico, Chihuahua & Texas

Alonso Álvarez de Pineda (Spain, ?-1520)

1519: Explores the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico. Establishes a colony at the mouth of the Pánuco.

1520: Killed in a fight with the local natives.

Handbook of Texas online: Álvarez de Pineda, Alonso

Bob Fromme: early explorers - Pineda

Martín Alonso Pinzón (Spain, 1440?-1493)

1492-3: Commander of the Pinta on Columbus's first voyage.

Catholic Encyclopedia: Martín Alonso Pinzón

pinson.net: Martin Alonzo Pinzon - Admiral of the Ocean Seas

Christophorus Columbus

Vicente Yáñez Pinzón (Spain, 1463-?)

1492-3: Commander of the Niña on Columbus's first voyage.

1499-1500: Discovers Brazil, and explores the northeast coast. Discovers the mouth of the Amazon River.

1502-4: Leads another voyage of exploration to Brazil.

1506: With de Solís, explores the coast of Central America. Explores the Yucatán Peninsula and discovers Honduras.

1508-9: With de Solís, searches for a passage through South America to the Indies. Aborts the expedition, reportedly because of difficulties with de Solís.

Francisco Pizarro (Spain, 1475-1541)

1509: Joins Ojeda on a colonizing expedition to the Gulf of Urabá. Put in command of the colony when Ojeda goes to Hispaniola for supplies.

1524-5: Travels south along the Colombian coast, looking for Peru.

1526-8: On a second expeedition to Peru, reaches the Inca harbour of Tumbes and the Santa Pau River.

1531-5: Conquers the Inca empire of Peru.

1535: Founds the city of Lima.

University of Calgary: The conquest of the Inca empire: Francisco Pizarro

Americas-fr: Francisco Pizarro, Conquistador du Pérou (in French)

Comptons Encyclopedia: Francisco Pizarro (copied by Pirate's Cove)

Catholic Encyclopedia: Francisco Pizarro

Trujillo: Francisco Pizarro (in Spanish)

Peter Bigorajski: Die Eroberung Perus (in German)

Thierry Gschwind: Francisco Pizarro (1475-1541) (in German)

amerique-latine.com: Francisco Pizarro (in French)

Shannon N. White: Spaniards v. Incas and the Fall of the Inca Empire

Publius Historicus: Francisco Pizarro - Conquérant espagnol (in French)

Dr. J. Kelly Robinson: Francisco Pizarro

Encyclopedia.com: Pizarro, Francisco

Infoplease: Pizarro, Francisco

Francisco de Xeres: Narrative of the Conquest of Peru (excerpt, relating of the capture of Inca king Atahualpa)

Gonzalo Pizarro (Spain, 1506?-1548)

1539: Becomes governor of Quito.

1540-2: Searching for El Dorado, travels down the Napo River.

Columbia Encyclopedia: Pizarro, Gonzalo

Francisco de Orellana

Maffeo Polo (Venice, dates unknown)

1255-69: With his brother Nicolò makes a trading voyage to Constantinople and Russia. Travels on to Buchara and China.

1271-9: With Nicolò and nephew Marco, again travels to China.

Exploration in the Medieval Period

Marco Polo (Venice, 1254-1324)

1271-92: With his father and uncle, travels to China by way of Palestina, Persia and Central Asia. There he is in service of Kubilai Khan for 15 years, and visits India by land. He returns to Europe, taking the sea route to Persia.

Exploration in the Medieval Period

Nicolò Polo (Venice, dates unknown)

1255-69: With his brother Mafeo, makes a trading voyage to Constantinople and Russia. Travels on to Buchara and China.

1271-9: With Mafeo and son Marco, again travels to China.

Exploration in the Medieval Period

Juan Ponce de Léon (Spain, 1460?-1521)

1508: Explores and colonizes Puerto Rico.

1513: Discovers Florida and follows a large part of the coastline.

1521: Fails in an attempt to establish a colony on the west coast of Florida.

Peter Pond (USA, 1740-1807)

1778: First European to reach Lake Athabasca. Establishes a trading post on the Atabasca River.

1787: Probably reaches the Great Slave Lake.

Dorthea Calverley: Peter Pond, Methye Portage and the first Northern Alberta trading post

Dorthea Calverley: Peter Pond and the Athabasca Country

The Columbia Encyclopedia: Peter Pond

Lorraine Hoffman & Phillip R. Coutu: Did Peter Pond participate in the ethnic cleansing of Western Canada's Indigenous Peoples?

Gerrit Pool (Netherlands)

1636: Sent out on an expedition to Australia. Killed by natives.

Gaspar de Portolá (Spain)

1769: Leads the first Spanish colonizing expedition to California.

1769-70: Explores the coast of California by land. Discovers San Francisco Bay.

San Diego Historical Society: Gaspar de Portola

Gary S. Breschini: The Portolá Expedition of 1769

Ross Eric Gibson: First Portola Expedition Got Lost on the Way to Monterey

University of Alabama: Don Gaspare de Portola - The Discovery of the San Francisco peninsula

Gary S. Breschini: The Founding of Monterey

Gary S. Breschini: Monterey's First Years: The Royal Presidio of San Carlos de Monterey

John Wesley Powell (USA, 1834-1902)

1867-73: Leads four scientific expeditions to the Rocky Mountains and the Colorado River.

1869: Descends the Colorado River by boat.

John Wesley Powell Memorial Museum: Major John Wesley Powell

John Wesley Powell River History Museum: John Wesley Powell - The Man

Desert USA: John Wesley Powell

Shelly James: Major John Wesley Powell

Susannah Abbey: Explorer Hero: John Wesley Powell

Bob Ribokas: The Powell Expedition

University of Colorado: The John Wesley Powell Page

Utah History Encyclopedia: John Wesley Powell

Songbird: John Wesley Powell

Alex Philp: John Wesley Powell's watershed commonwealths: Mapping a West that might have been

contemporary obituary and grave

University of North Texas Library: John Wesley Powell (links)

Chris Jeffereis: John Wesley Powell (links)

Publications - several primary sources

Vasily Poyarkov (Russia)

1643-6: Travels to the Amur and follows it downstream. Returns to Siberia by way of the coast.

Martin Pring (England)

1603: Visits New England.

Nikolai Mikhaylovich Przhevalski (also known as Przehvalsky, Przewalski, Russia, 1839-1888)

1870-2: Travels through Mongolia and China, and reaches lake Koko Nor.

1876-7: Reaches lake Lop Nor and discovers the Altin Tagh mountains.

1879-80: Attempts to reach Lhasa, but is sent back by Tibetan guards only 270 km from his goal.

1884-5: Again fails to reach Lhasa, but explores large parts of northeastern Tibet.

1888: Dies at the Issyk Kul Lake while preparing for his fifth voyage.

Claudius Ptolemaeus (also known as Ptolemy, Greece/Egypt, 90?-168?)

Important astronomer and geographer. His Geography was the main source of information for early-Renaissance cartographers.

The Roman period

Pytheas (Massilia)

ca. 325 BC: Visits the Atlantic coast of Europe. Explores the British Islands and describes a country in the far northwest which he calls Thule.

Greek explorers