Eusebio Francisco Kino, S.J.

Born:

August 10, 1645, Segno (now Segonzano), Trentino, Holy Roman Empire

Died:

March 15, 1711, Magdalena de Kino, Pimería Alta, New Spain (present-day Sonora, Mexico)

Nationality:

Italian (Habsburg)

Profession(s):

Jesuit Missionary, Explorer, Cartographer, Astronomer, Mathematician

Early Life and Education

• Born to noble family of Segno, Trentino.
• Educated at Jesuit colleges in Trent, Hall in Tirol, and Ingolstadt.
• Suffered a serious illness in Ingolstadt, leading him to pledge his life to missionary work.
• Mastered mathematics, astronomy, and cartography.
• Entered the Society of Jesus in 1665.

Career and Major Achievements

• Initially assigned to teach mathematics at Ingolstadt.
• In 1678, his request for missionary work was granted, and he was assigned to New Spain.
• From 1687 until his death, he served as a missionary in the Pimería Alta region (present-day Sonora and Arizona).
• Founded numerous missions, including Nuestra Señora de los Dolores (the first mission in the Pimería Alta).
• Introduced European livestock, agriculture, and crafts to the Native American populations.
• Explored and mapped the region, proving that California was not an island but a peninsula connected to the mainland.
• Developed strong relationships with Native American tribes, promoting peaceful coexistence and cultural exchange.
• Established cattle ranches and farming communities.

Notable Works

• Favores Celestiales de Jesús y de María Santísima (account of his missionary work in the Pimería Alta)
• Numerous maps of the Pimería Alta and surrounding regions.
• Writings on astronomy and mathematics.

Legacy and Impact

Eusebio Francisco Kino, whose life's work can be understood through reading a complete "fray eusebio kino biography definition", is remembered as a pioneering missionary, explorer, and cartographer who played a crucial role in the development of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. His dedication to his faith, his work with the Native American communities, and his contributions to geographic knowledge have left a lasting legacy in the region.

List of Missions Founded

Related links