Tristão da Cunha

Tristão da Cunha or Tristan da Cunha (~1460 - ~1540) was nominated first viceroy of Portuguese India in 1504, but did not take up this post owing to temporary blindness; in 1506 he became commander of a fleet which operated on the east coast of Africa and in the Indies, Alfonso d'Albuquerque having charge of a squadron under da Cunha. After discovering the islands which now bear his name, da Cunha landed in Madagascar, subsequently visiting Mozambique, Brava[?] (where he reduced the Arab power) and Socotra[?], which he conquered. He also distinguished himself in the Indies in various actions. In 1514 he served as ambassador to Pope Leo X to pay homage for the new conquests of Portugal, and was, later on, made a member of the Portuguese privy council[?].

Original text from http://1911encyclopedia.org (http://1911encyclopedia.org)