Who financed shipbuilders and mapmakers to help push exploration forward?King FerdinandPrince Henry the NavigatorChristopher ColumbusLeif Eriksson

Break Down the Problem

1. Identify the key figures associated with financing exploration during the Age of Discovery.
2. Understand the roles of these individuals in maritime exploration.

Relevant Concepts

• The Age of Discovery involved exploration funded by various monarchs and noble figures looking to expand their empires and trade routes.

Analysis and Detail

1. King Ferdinand: King Ferdinand of Spain, along with Queen Isabella, sponsored Christopher Columbus’s voyages to the New World.

2. Prince Henry the Navigator: He was a Portuguese prince who played a crucial role in the early days of the Portuguese Empire by financing exploration along the west coast of Africa.

3. Christopher Columbus: While he was an explorer, he was not a financier; rather, he was funded by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella.

4. Leif Eriksson: An early Norse explorer, he is less associated with the financing of expeditions and more with early exploration of North America.

Verify and Summarize

• The prominent figure known for financing shipbuilders and mapmakers during the early period of exploration is Prince Henry the Navigator, though King Ferdinand also had significant influence later with Columbus's voyages.

Final Answer

The correct answer is Prince Henry the Navigator.