Estêvão da Gama (15th century)

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Estêvão da Gama (about 1430–July 1497) was a wealthy Portuguese nobleman of the fifteenth century.

Estêvão da Gama was the Alcaide Mor (civil governor) of Sines and Silves, officer of King Afonso V of Portugal, comendador of Seixal and Cercal, a member of the household of the Infante Fernando, Duke of Guarda and Trancoso, and a master of the Order of Santiago.

His wife, Isabel Sodré, was of English origin, with links to the household of Prince Diogo, who was Duke of Viseu, grandson of King Edward I of Portugal, and governor of the military Order of Christ.) Estevão da Gama and Isabel had two sons, Paulo da Gama and Vasco da Gama. Vasco was the discoverer of the sea route from Europe to India that would permit trade with the Far East, without using the costly and unsafe Silk Road caravan routes.

Estevão da Gama was initially chosen to lead the expedition to open the sea routes to Asia, a tactic that would outflank the Muslims, who, at that time, had a monopoly on trade with India, the Spice islands, and Cathay (China). Because he died in July 1497, command of the expedition was given to his son Vasco. (It is believed that the offer was first made to Vasco's brother and Estevão's oldest son, Paulo, but that he refused the opportunity.)

One of Vasco da Gama's sons, Estêvão da Gama, who would became the Portuguese governor of India (1540–1542), was named for him.