The New Student's Reference Work/Ponce de Leon, Juan

Ponce de Leon (pō̇n′thā̇ dā̇ lā̇-ō̇n′), Juan, the discoverer of Florida, was born at San Servas, Spain, in 1460; was a court page; served against the Moors; and in 1502 sailed with Ovando to Hispaniola and became governor of the eastern part of the island. In 1510 he obtained the government of Porto Rico, and had conquered the whole island by 1512 when deprived of his post. He then, broken in health, set out in quest of the fountain of perpetual youth, and on the 27th of March, 1512, found Florida, landing a little north of where St. Augustine stands. He secured the appointment of governor of the country, and attempted to conquer his new subjects, but failed and lost nearly all his followers. He died in Cuba in July of 1521.