Ponce

de eon, Juan (1460-1521), a Spanish explorer, was according to some accounts an a ociate of Columbus on his second voyage. He became Governor of the eastern part of the Island of Hayti, was led to attempt the colonization of Porto Rico, and effected the conquest of that island. It was in 1512 that, searching for a fountain of perpetual youth, he discovered the coast of Florida near St. Augustine. He re ° turned to Spain, and in 1521 sailed to the Florida coast; landing not far from his former point of discovery, he lost the greater part of his force, returned disappointed to Cuba, and soon died. The Spanish claims to the regions were based on his voyages.