Sebastian Elcano

Juan Sebastian Elcano (born 1476, died 1526) was a Spanish explorer.

A merchant ship captain, Elcano violated Spanish law by surrendering a ship of his to Genoan bankers in repayment of a debt. Seeking a pardon from the King (Charles V), he signed on, as a low level officer, to Ferdinand Magellan's expedition to circumnavigate the globe. Spared from execution by Magellan after taking part in a failed mutiny, Elcano went on to take command of the fleet when the legendary explorer was killed in the Philippines.

On September 6, 1522, Elcano sailed into Sanlucar de Barremeda, Spain, aboard the Victoria, along with the 18 other survivors of the 265 man expedition.

He died of malnutrition somewhere in the Pacific Ocean while attempting a second circumnavigation of the planet.