The Spanish explorer Juan de Oñate (ca. 1549-ca. 1624), although considered a failure by his monarch, deserves to be called the founder of New Mexico. The colony he established eventually became one of Spain's most important northern outposts.

Juan de Oñate was born in Mexico. His father, Don Cristóbal de Oñate, was one of the discoverers and developers of the rich Zacatecan mines and a wealthy and influential citizen. Little is known of Juan de Oñate's early life, although he claimed to have helped develop the mines in the San Luis Potosi district and to have served with Viceroy Luis de Velasco in wars against the hostile Indians of northern Mexico. He married Doña Isabel de Tolosa, granddaughter of Hernán Cortés and great-granddaughter of the last Aztec ruler, Montezuma II.

In 1583 the combined...