Marcos de Niza, French friar and explorer (b. 1495)
Fray Marcos de Niza, or Marco da Nizza (c. 1495 – 25 March 1558) was an Italian missionary and Franciscan friar. He is credited with being the first European in what is now the State of Arizona in the United States.He is most known for his conquests and rumored sight of the legendary rumored place, Seven Cities of Cibola. His report that he wrote after viewing the Seven Cities of Cibola brought much attention and fame to Marcos de Niza, that it sparked the interest of the viceroy Antonio de Mendoza. This led to the appointee of another expedition for Marcos de Niza but this time he would be accompanied by the legendary conquistador, Francisco Vázquez de Coronado.