Malaspina, Alejandro, << mah lah SPEE nah, ah lay HAHN droh >> (1754-1810), was an Italian navigator and officer in the Spanish Navy whose explorations expanded European knowledge of the Pacific Ocean. Malaspina also wrote about history, literature, philosophy, and science.
Malaspina was born into a noble family on Nov. 5, 1754, in the village of Mulazzo, in Italy. He attended Clementine College in Rome. While a student, he wrote a physics book. Upon leaving school, Malaspina joined the Order of Malta, an aristocratic society dedicated to ridding the Mediterranean Sea of pirates. While in the order, he learned to navigate large sailing ships. In 1774, Malaspina joined the Spanish Navy, where he earned rapid promotion. Although he demonstrated military skill, Malaspina’s chief interests lay in science and international peace.
In the 1700’s, Spain controlled territory in California, the Philippines, and much of Latin America. King Carlos IV sent Malaspina on a voyage to investigate the politics of Spain’s Pacific colonies, gather plant and animal specimens, and chart remote regions of America. Malaspina set sail in 1789 with two ships—the Descubierta (Discovery) and the Atrevida (Daring). He sailed south, around the tip of South America, and then north, along the western coast of the Americas, as far as what is now Alaska. He then crossed the Pacific Ocean and visited the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, and Tonga before returning to Spain in 1794.
Malaspina’s voyage was a success. Malaspina produced many scientific journals, and the plant and animal specimens that he took back to Spain expanded European knowledge of biology. In addition, by measuring variations in gravity at different geographical locations, Malaspina showed that Earth bulges slightly at its middle, the equator.
Malaspina’s political conclusions, however, led to his downfall. During his travels, Malaspina had observed that the Pacific colonies needed reformed political and economic policies. He warned the Spanish government that unless it made changes, the colonists likely would revolt. King Carlos considered Malaspina a dangerous radical and had him imprisoned. While in jail, Malaspina devoted himself to writing. However, he was not allowed to have anything published, including his journals of the voyage, and much of his work was lost. Malaspina was released after six years and was exiled from Spain. He returned to Italy, where he died on April 9, 1810.
