The job of an explorer has never been a healthy one. I blogged before about how Henry Hudson (1565-1611) met his end; his disgruntled crew mutinied and set him adrift on the Hudson Bay in winter, never to be seen again.

Here’s how some other explorers died:

Ferdinand Magellan (1480 – 1521) became a religious fanatic, was shot with arrows, and (possibly) eaten by cannibals. (I’ve blogged about him, too.)

Hernando Cortes (1485 – 1547) died of a fever, or possibly dysentery.

Vasco Nunez de Balboa was accused by one of his enemies of treason against Spain—most likely unfairly—and was beheaded.

Juan Ponce de León (1474 – 1521) died of infection from a poisoned arrow wound.

Francisco Pizzaro (1471 or 1476 –  1541) was assassinated by the embittered son of a guy he’d ordered executed.

Hernando De Soto (1496/7 – 1542) died of malaria.

Sir Francis Drake (ca 1540 – 1596) died of either yellow fever or malaria.

Sir Walter Raleigh (1480 – 1521) was beheaded by Queen Elizabeth’s successor, King James.

Giovanni da Verrazzano (1485 – 1528) was eaten by cannibals.

Ferdinand Magellan via http://www.biography.com/people/ferdinand-magellan-9395202

Hernando Cortes. Engraving by W. Holl, published by Charles Knight Library of Congress LC-USZ62-33515

Balboa’s first sight of the Pacific Ocean. (1890) NYPL digital collection

Juan Ponce de León from the Florida Photographic Collection

Francisco Pizzaro via Wikimedia

Hernando De Soto via WIkimedia

Sir Francis Drake by Nicholas Hilliard (http://tudor-portraits.com)

Sir Walter Raleigh by Nicholas Hilliard via Wikimedia

Giovanni da Verrazzano via Wikimedia