Marco Polo

About

Thirteenth-century explorer and namesake of the swimming pool game. He was the first European to keep a detailed journal of his experiences in China, and his writings became points of inspiration of Christopher Columbus.

Before Fame

He was raised by his aunt and uncle and grew up learning about merchant subjects, and the handling of cargo ships.

Trivia

Without his book, II Milione, early Europeans would have known little about Central Asia or China.

Family Life

He married Donata Badoer, with whom he had three children.

Associated With

Another famous Italian explorer was Amerigo Vespucci.