Login | Sign Up | Print Page
Enchanted Learning Logo Enchanted Learning Logo
Home Site Index What's New Free Sample Pages Login Subscribe
Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook
Advertisement.

EnchantedLearning.com is a user-supported site.

Site members have full access to an ad-free, print-friendly version of the site.

Click here to learn more.

title image

John Cabot - Biography

ExplorationNorth America
About Sebastian Cabot►
More About Explorers►
Share this page:
Share on TwitterShare on FacebookShare on PinterestPrint this Page

Map of Cabot's Routes John Cabot (about 1450-1499) was an Italian-born English explorer and navigator. In Italy, he is known as Giovanni Caboto (which is his original name).

Cabot was born in Italy but moved to England in 1495. At the request of King Henry VII of England, Cabot sailed to Canada in 1497, commanding the small ship called “Matthew.” Cabot landed near Labrador, Newfoundland, or Cape Breton Island (the exact spot is uncertain) on June 24, 1497. One of John Cabot’s three sons, the explorer Sebastian Cabot, accompanied him on this trip. Cabot claimed the land for England.

Cabot explored the Canadian coastline and named many of its islands and capes. The mission’s purpose was to search for a Northwest passage across North America to Asia (a seaway to Asia). Cabot was unsuccessful, although he thought that he had reached northeastern Asia.

Cabot undertook a second, larger expedition in 1498. On this trip, Cabot may have reached America, but that is uncertain. Cabot’s expeditions were the first of Britain’s claims to Canada.

John Cabot died in England in 1499.

Other Links:
Estimated Grade Level
Our subscribers' grade-level estimate for this page:
4th - 5th
You Might Also Like:
Sir Richard Francis Burton - Biography
Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd - Biography
Explorers - T
Explorers - K
Explorers - X
Explorers by Letter
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Explorers by Location
Africa
Antarctica
Arctic
Australia
Britain
Canada
Mexico
North America
South America
Explorers by Category
Space
Undersea
Women
Explorers by Date
1300s and Earlier
1400s
Early 1500s
Late 1500s
1600s
1700s
1800s
1900s
Other Explorer Links
Exploration Terms Glossary
Writing a Report on an Explorer
Advertisement.
▾ See more
Site Overview
What's New
Enchanted Learning Home
Monthly Activity Calendar
Books to Print
Site Index
Enchanted Blog
K-3
Crafts
K-3 Themes
Little Explorers
Picture Dictionary
PreK/K Activities
Rebus Rhymes
Stories
Writing
Cloze Activities
Essay Topics
Newspaper
Writing Activities
Parts of Speech
Fiction
The Test of Time
Biology
Animal Printouts
Biology Label Printouts
Biomes
Birds
Butterflies
Dinosaurs
Biology Continued
Food Chain
Human Anatomy
Mammals
Plants
Rainforests
Sharks
Whales
Physical Sciences: K-12
Astronomy
The Earth
Geology
Hurricanes
Landforms
Oceans
Tsunami
Volcano
Languages
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Japanese (Romaji)
Portuguese
Spanish
Swedish
Geography/History
Explorers
Flags
Geography
Inventors
US History
Other Topics
Arts and Artists
Calendars
College Finder
Crafts
Graphic Organizers
Label Me! Printouts
Math
Music
Word Wheels
Copyright © 2001-2025 EnchantedLearning.com
How to cite a web page
-
Our Privacy Policy
-
Site Index
-
Contact Us
-
About Us
-
Subscribe
Advertisement.
Advertisement.