Columbus, Diego (1468–1515)

Columbus, Diego (Giacomo Colombo; b. c. 1468; d. before 20 February 1515), youngest brother of Christopher Columbus. He left Genoa to join Christopher in Spain and sailed with him on the second voyage to America. Described as amiable, virtuous, and peaceful, Diego had no instincts for seamanship, warfare, or administration. Nevertheless, Christopher's devotion to his brother led to Diego's appointment as president of a ruling council for Hispaniola during Christopher's absence on another voyage, a heavy responsibility for the young man. Francisco Roldán, the alcalde mayor, offended at Diego's superior position, led the island's malcontents in rebellion. Christopher returned to find the colony in anarchy. He sought to bring about order by removing the hapless Diego, who was sent to Spain in February 1495 to defend Christopher against their enemies at court. Months later Diego returned to Hispaniola, endeavoring as best he could to assist his beleagured brothers against rebellious colonists. In 1500 the concerned sovereigns sent Francisco de Bobadilla as chief justice to pacify the island. Diego, by then governing in the port city of Santo Domingo, with uncharacteristic backbone defied Bobadilla, who clapped Diego in irons, along with his brothers, and shipped him to Spain. The same year Diego finally found his true vocation when he took holy orders. Although Christopher sought to obtain a bishopric for Diego from the Queen, the request was denied on grounds of his foreign birth. In 1509 Diego made a brief visit to Santo Domingo, then returned to Seville, where he died.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fernando Colón, The Life of the Admiral Christopher Columbus by His Son Ferdinand, edited and translated by Benjamin Keen (1959); Troy Floyd, The Columbus Dynasty in the Caribbean, 1492–1526 (1973).

                               William L. Sherman