Hernán Cortés

Hernán Cortés (c. 1485–1547) was the Spanish conquistador who overthrew the Aztec Empire. Born at Medellín in Extremadura, he sailed for Hispaniola in 1504 and joined Velázquez in Cuba. Appointed to lead an expedition to Mexico in 1518, he sailed in 1519 after Velázquez revoked his commission.

His men took Veracruz and he scuttled his ships to end thought of retreat. With interpreter Doña Marina and native allies he marched inland; Moctezuma II received him at Tenochtitlan in November 1519 and was taken hostage. A massacre sparked revolt, and after Moctezuma died in July 1520 the Spaniards fled in the Noche Triste.

Cortés rebuilt his force and besieged the city until Cuauhtémoc was captured in August 1521. In 1529 Charles V made him Marquis of Oaxaca but never restored him as governor. He explored Baja California and died in debt in 1547; his son Martín inherited the title.