Kino, Eusebio Francisco (c. 1644-1711)

Italian-born Jesuit missionary in America. In 1687 he began exploration of Pimería Alta, now modern Sonora, Mexico, and southern Arizona. There he established the missions of Tumacacori and San Xavier del Bac near modern Tucson. Kino later explored the Colorado Valley and discovered the massive prehistoric Indian ruins of Casa Grande.

Born in Italy, Kino entered the Jesuit order 1665. After teaching at the University of Ingolstadt, he was sent as a missionary to New Spain 1678. He arrived in Mexico City 1681 and joined a short-lived colony in Baja California.