Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra

Who was Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra?

Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra was a Spanish naval officer born in Lima, Peru. Assigned to the Pacific coast Spanish Naval Department base at San Blas, in the Viceroyalty of New Spain, this navigator explored the Northwest Coast of North America as far north as present day Alaska.

Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra joined the Spanish Naval Academy in Cádiz at 19, and four years later, in 1767 was commissioned as an officer of the rank Frigate Ensign. In 1773 he was promoted to Ship Ensign, and in 1774 to Ship Lieutenant.