Ferdinand Magellan was born in 1480 in Portugal to a wealthy family which allowed him opportunities for education and exploration. In 1505, he joined an expedition led by Fransisco De Alemeida, establishing forts in Africa, but was later accused of illegal trading. In 1520, Magellan led four ships that successfully navigated the passage around South America now called the Strait of Magellan. However, Magellan was killed in the Philippines in 1521, leaving Jose Sebastian Elcano to captain the sole returning ship and be regarded as the first to circumnavigate the globe. Though Magellan did not complete the full voyage, he made important geographic discoveries along the way.