Elder
[
250]
brother of
Christopher Columbus; born in
Genoa about 1432.
In 1470, when Christopher went to
Lisbon,
Bartholomew was there engaged as a mariner and a constructor of maps and charts.
It is believed that he visited the
Cape of Good Hope with
Bartholomew Diaz.
Christopher sent him to
England to seek the aid of Henry VII.
in making a voyage of discovery.
He was captured by pirates, and long retained a captive; and, on his return through
France, he first heard of his brother's great discovery beyond the
Atlantic, and that he had sailed on a second voyage.
Bartholomew was cordially received at the Spanish Court, and Queen Isabella sent him in command of three store-ships for the colony in
Hispaniola, or
Santo Domingo.
His brother received him with joy, and made him lieutenantgovernor of the Indies.
He was uncommonly brave and energetic, and, when his brother was sent to
Spain in chains,
Bartholomew shared his imprisonment, was released with him, and was made
Lord of
Mona—an island near
Santo Domingo.
He died in
Santo Domingo, in May, 1515.
Columbus, Christopher
