Spanish adventurer, born in Grenada. The Spanish settlement of Santa Marta had jurisdiction over the northern coast of Columbia, South America, and of an unexplored region to the southward, when in 1535 its governor, Pedro Fernández de Lugo, made Quesada his chief lieutenant. With 600 infantry, 85 cavalry and many Indians, Quesada started from Santa Marta, April 5, 1536, upon an expedition into the interior. While in the mountains, news came to him of the Kingdom of Chibchas of Bogotá and its great riches. Though his force had been reduced, from the ravages of fevers and hostile Indians, to 166 men, he decided to conquer this powerful nation. He defeated the Indians, occupied Bogotá, secured a large amount of gold, and founded the Spanish city of Santa Fé de Bogotá, August 6, 1538. Quesada soon afterward was joined by two other Spanish adventurers from Peru and Venezuela, and the three went to Spain to present to Charles V. their claims to the country. Being dismissed by the emperor, Quesada squandered in dissolute living his treasures brought from Bogotá. He was afterward made marshal of New Grenada, took part in some further conquests, and died at an advanced age. The account of the conquest which he wrote has been lost.
