Блейк-Словарь (Деймон)/Веспуччи

VESPUTIUS was Americus Vespucius (1454–1512), a Florentine explorer, who claimed to be a member of the expedition which discovered the mainland of America. Therefore the German geographer Martin Waldseemüller in 1507 suggested that the new lands be named “America”; thus Vespucius got the credit which should have gone to Columbus.

“Columbus discover’d America, but Americus Vesputius finish’d & smooth’d it over, like an English Engraver or Corregio & Titian” (PubA, K 598).