Cabot, John

   Probably a native of Genoa. Became a citizen of Venice, March 28, 1476, and at that time had been a resident of the city for fifteen years. Went to England, and in 1497, under the direct authority of Henry VII, sailed to the westward on a voyage of discovery. Landed on the shores of America, but his exact landfall has been a moot point. It is now generally believed that it was the easternmost cape of Cape Breton. The following year sailed again, but there is no record that he ever returned from this second voyage.

   Bib.: Beazley, John and Sebastian Cabot; Dawson, The Voyages of the Cabots (R. S. C., 1894, 1896, 1897); Deane, Voyages of the Cabots, in Winsor, Nar. & Cr. Hist. of America, vol. 3; Harrisse, John Cabot, the Discoverer of North America; Weare, Cabot's Discovery of North America; Ober. John and Sebastian Cabot. =Cabot, Sebastian= (1477?-1557?). Son of John Cabot. His share in the discovery of North America has been the subject of much controversy. From having once been regarded as the sole discoverer, it is now considered doubtful that he had anything to do with the voyages of 1497 and 1498. He was in the service of Spain, and also of England, receiving from Edward VI the title of Grand Pilot of England.

   Bib.: Biddle, Memoir of Sebastian Cabot; Nicholls, Life of Sebastian Cabot; Tarducci, John and Sebastian Cabot. These are favourable to Sebastian's claims.

   See references under preceding entry for the other side of the controversy.