Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Avilés, Pedro Menéndez de

AVILÉS, Pedro Menéndez de (ah-vee-les'), Spanish sailor, b. in 1523; d. in 1574. He rendered good services to Emperors Maximilian and Charles V. when fighting under letters of marque against the French fleets. He was appointed captain-general of the route to the West Indies, and conquered Florida, of which he became both military and civil governor. He died while making preparations to join the armada that was sent by Philip II. against England.