Famous explorers Famous explorers.The anniversary of Lewis and Clark's trailblazing expedition is reason to delve into the history of North American exploration. There's the epic and controversial story of Christopher Columbus ,as well as lesser-known stories of ill repute, colonial cruelty and peace. Hernando de Soto De Soto was the first European known to cross this mighty river ,which has an ironic tie to his death. He was an ambitious man in search of a certain mineral and a far passage. Francisco Vásquez de Coronado Coronado was a Spaniard who was tricked by Native Americans in his quest for the Seven Cities of Gold. Coronado married a Mexican aristocrat for great gain, but he died in obscurity. Giovanni da Verrazano Verrazano ,whose origins are disputed, explored the Atlantic coast of the U.S. and appropriately named modern-day New York. Verrazano was overshadowed by another famous explorer. Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca Native Americans killed many men of the Panfilo de Na...