Martín Alonso Pinzón

Martín Alonso Pinzón
Statue of Pinzón in Palos de la Frontera
Born	c. 1441 Palos de la Frontera, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain
Died	c. 1493 Palos de la Frontera, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain
Nationality	Spanish
Occupation	Mariner, explorer, discoverer
Years active	?–1493
Home town	Palos de la Frontera
Spouse(s)	María Álvarez
Children	Sons: Arias Pérez, Juan Daughters: Mayor, Catalina, Leonor
Parent(s)	Martín Pinzón, Mayor Vicente
Relatives	Pinzón brothers

Martín Alonso Pinzón, (Spanish pronunciation: [maɾˈtin aˈlonso pinˈθon]; Palos de la Frontera, Huelva; c. 1441 – c. 1493) was a Spanish mariner, shipbuilder, navigator and explorer, oldest of the Pinzón brothers. He sailed with Christopher Columbus on his first voyage to the New World in 1492, as captain of the Pinta. His youngest brother Vicente Yáñez Pinzón was captain of the Niña, and the middle brother Francisco Martín Pinzón was maestre (first mate) of the Pinta.

The Pinzón family was among the leading families of Palos de la Frontera in the late 15th century. There are several conflicting theories about the origin of the family and of their name (see Pinzón family). His grandfather was as sailor and diver known as Martín; it is not clear whether that was a first or last name, and whether in his generation Pinzón was a surname or an epithet. His father was a sailor named Martín Pinzón; his mother was named Mayor Vicente.

Born in Palos around 1441, it appears that at quite a young age Pinzón shipped out on a locally based caravel as a grumete (cabin boy). His home, now the Casa Museo de Martín Alonso Pinzón, was on the old royal road to the Monastery of La Rábida. Martín's family contracted a marriage with a resident of the locality named María Álvarez. They had five children: two boys—Arias Pérez and Juan, who participated in several expeditions to the Americas—and three girls—Mayor, Catalina, and Leonor. Leonor, the youngest, suffered frequent attacks of what was then called "gota coral" and would now be called epilepsy.