(1451-1512) Cosmographer and navigator, after whom America was named, born Florence; died Seville. The fact that his discovery of the mainland (1497-1498) antedated that of Columbus was responsible for the appearance of the name "America" for the first time in 1507 and for its application first to South America and afterward to the entire Western Hemisphere. Vespucci, a friend of Columbus, had no part in this appellation. The history of his voyages (1497-1508) appears in his "Letters" (1507) and "Novus Mundus" (1503 or 1504).
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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