Skip to main content

Secondary sourceBook1891

The Life of Ferdinand Magellan and the First Circumnavigation of the Globe

F. H. H. Guillemard · 1891

An 1891 biography of Magellan containing a map tracing the route of his ships through the East Indies and Philippines.

A later biography of Magellan whose map illustrates the route of his famous circumnavigation voyage.

Ask Ferdinand Magellan about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Full text (Internet Archive)

About this source

What it is

This is a scanned page from The Life of Ferdinand Magellan and the First Circumnavigation of the Globe, 1480-1521, a biography written by F. H. H. Guillemard and published in 1891. The image shown is a printed map from the book, digitized by the Internet Archive from a copy held by Brandeis University Libraries.

Why it matters

Written more than three centuries after Magellan's voyage, this biography represents how later historians pieced together and interpreted his expedition using earlier accounts. The map traces the route of Magellan's ships, the Victoria and Trinidad, through the East Indies and the Philippines, helping readers follow the voyage's geography.

Look closer

  • What can a map like this tell us about the route and challenges of the voyage?
  • Why might a historian in 1891 still rely on much older accounts to write this biography?
  • What is missing from a printed map that a firsthand account might include?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Ferdinand Magellan on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Ferdinand Magellan sources

Meet the AI Ferdinand Magellan →
Black ink handwritten signature on a white background. It has large looping flourishes at the left, followed by cursive script that reads roughly as a name, and a large oval loop beneath it with a long underline stroke.Document

Primary source

Signature of Ferdinand Magellan

Ferdinand Magellan

Front cover of a black leather bound book with gold-tooled decorative border, a small gold central stamp showing a dragon or wolf-like creature above a gold initials monogram reading 'J.C.B.' with a banner above it.Book

Secondary source

De Moluccis Insulis

Maximilianus Transylvanus · 1523

Interior of a domed shrine. A tall dark wooden cross with an INRI plaque stands on a pale stone pedestal bearing a plaque reading Magellan's Cross, with flowers at its base. The dome has painted scenes of historical figures and a cross; arched windows and an open door are visible.Artifact

Secondary source

Magellan's Cross

planted April 1521; present cross 1835

A small figure of the Christ Child crowned with a gold crown, wearing rich red and gold embroidered robes and a jeweled silver-and-gold pedestal base, displayed in a gilded niche with a golden backdrop.Sculpture

Primary source

Santo Niño de Cebú

1519

Oil painting of a bearded man in a dark cap and dark robe with a red and white cross medal on his chest, holding a rolled white document in his right hand against a dark background.Painting

Secondary source

Portrait of Ferdinand Magellan

Unknown, after the school of Ángel Broncino

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Ferdinand Magellan now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions