Fernão de Loronha

Fernão de Loronha, also known as Noronha, was a prominent 16th-century Portuguese merchant of Lisbon, of Jewish descent. He was head of association formed to lease land for development in Brazil. In 1503 he arrived to Brazil with six ships, troops, and supplies, and has discovered an island near the north coast of the country which he named São João, although it was generally known by his name, Fernando de Noronha. The following year, King Manuel I (r. 1495 – 1521) named him Knight of the Crown and granted him the captaincy for life of the island he discovered. As his contract stated, he explored and colonized large areas of Brazil, exploiting them for the benefit of his company. Loronha also received a monopoly on dyewood from the crown and was a pioneer in the import and export of timber. Although his contract was originally for three years, it was extended to 1512 or 1515.