(1480?–1528), Spanish soldier and adventurer. Born in about 1480, in Valladolid, Spain, Pánfilo de Narváez was one of earliest explorers of Florida. In 1520 he was sent to capture and replace Hernando Cortez as ruler of Mexico. He was defeated and held prisoner by Cortez for two years. In 1522 he returned to Spain and was given permission to colonize the territory of Florida. He reached Florida in 1528 and claimed the land for Spain but was lost at sea while attempting to sail to Mexico.