Off about Amerigo--whole continent named after him, but no statues anywhere...Two of his letters Mundus Novus were "the greatest literary successes of the 16th century." Translated and read all over Europe, had impact on science and mapmakers. (Contrast with Columbus' only one letter of 1493) Las Casas had smear campaign said Amerigo robbed Columbus. Ralph W. Emerson (1856) said: "Strange...that broad America must wear the name of a thief. Amerigo Vespucci, the pickle dealer at Seville...whose highest naval rank was boatswain's mate in an expedition that never sailed, managed in this lying world to supplant Columbus and baptize half of the earth with his own dishonest name." Actually Columbus and Vespucci were close friends in Seville from 1492 until Admiral's death in 1506 (nor did the sons of Columbus complain about Amerigo) Vespucci were a distinquished Fiorentine family. He had confidence of Medici, Florentine bankiers in Seville, of Columbus...