ACOSTA, Jose de,
Spanish missionary, born in Medina del Campo in 1539;
died in Salamanca, 15 February, 1600. At the age of fourteen he became a member
of the Society of Jesus. He was a missionary in South America from 1571 until
1576, then visited Mexico, where he remained two years. After his return to
Spain he published "De natura Novi Orbis et de promulgatione evangelii apud
Barbaros" (Salamanca, 1588-'9), which he translated into Spanish and extended.
It was issued under the title "Historia natural y moral de las Indias " (1590),
attained great popularity, and was translated into various languages. He was
rector of the University of Salamanca at the time of his death.
Edited Appletons Encyclopedia by John
Looby, Copyright © 2001 VirtualologyTM
