Leo Africanus (al-Hasan ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Wazzan al-Fasi al-Granati, 1485-1554) was a diplomat, merchant traveller and scholar who famously voyaged from Timbuktu to the Niger River and wrote 'The Description of Africa' (La Descrittione dell'Africa, 1526). Captured by Mediterranean pirates, he so impressed them with his learning and linguistic ability, that they gifted him as a slave to Pope Leo X (1498 -1526).
More about: Leo Africanus10 days left
Invest in History Education
By supporting our charity World History Foundation, you're investing in the future of history education. Your donation helps us empower the next generation with the knowledge and skills they need to understand the world around them. Help us start the new year ready to publish more reliable historical information, free for everyone.
$3081 / $10000
Definition
Timeline
-
1485 - 1554Life of the writer, traveller, and scholar Leo Africanus.
-
c. 1485 - c. 1492Leo Africanus is born and lives in Granada.
-
c. 1492Leo Africanus migrates with his family from Granada to Fez.
-
c. 1492 - c. 1507Leo Africanus attends the local Arabic grammar school, then madrasa and Al-Qarawiyyin University.
-
c. 1509 - 1510Leo Africanus accompanies his uncle on an important diplomatic mission to West Africa and Timbuktu.
-
c. 1519Leo Africanus is kidnapped by Christian pirates returning to Fez. Impressed with his knowledge and ability with languages, they presented him to the Vatican Pope Leo X as a gift.
-
6 Jan 1520Al-Hassan al-Wazzan converts to Christianity and becomes Joannes Leo de Medici aka Leo Africanus.
-
c. 1527Leo Africanus escapes from Rome and returns to Tunis, North Africa.
-
1527Leo Africanus completes his most important work: The History and Description of Africa.
-
c. 1554Leo Africanus dies in Tunis.
-
1556The History and Description of Africa by Leo Africanus is translated into French and Latin.
-
1600The History and Description of Africa by Leo Africanus is translated into English by John Pory of London's Hakluyt Society.
