Background
Diogo Cam was born in Vila Real in the middle of the 15th century. He was the illegitimate son of Álvaro Fernandes.
Diogo Cam was born in Vila Real in the middle of the 15th century. He was the illegitimate son of Álvaro Fernandes.
Diogo Cam was an esquire in the king's household when he was commissioned, in 1481, to make a voyage of discovery beyond Cape Catherine, on the west coast of Africa 2°2d south of the equinotical line, the most southerly point which had been reached at that time. He sailed from Lisbon early in 1482, taking with him several padroes, or granite pillars surmounted with crosses and having the royal arms carved on them. Cam was ordered to add duplicate inscriptions in Portuguese and Latin, with his name and the date, when he placed these pillars in territories he discovered, signifying that the territories belonged to Christendom and Portugal. He placed one at the mouth of the Congo River in 1482. He traded with the inhabitants of the Congo kingdom and sent some African Christians inland to its ruler, taking hostages for their safety. Cam continued south as far as Cape St. Mary, 13°13d 28' south latitude, where he erected another padrao. In 1484 he returned to Lisbon, was promoted to the rank of cavalier, and was given an annuity and a patent of nobility in recognition of his services. In 1485 he returned to the Congo. He sent presents to its king and returned the hostages. He sent delegates to ask the natives to become Catholics, and they were subsequently converted. Cam continued south to Cape Cross, 21°21d 50' south latitude, where he erected another padrao. His fleet returned to Portugal before August 1487. There are conflicting reports of his death: some sources say he returned to Lisbon, others say he was killed at sea off Cape Cross in 1486.
Diogo Cam was married and had four children: Pedro Cão, Manuel Cão, André Afonso Cão, and Isabel Cão.