The historical figure credited with the first successful completion of the circumnavigation of the globe is Ferdinand Magellan. His expedition, which began in 1519, was the first to sail around the world, though he did not survive the entire journey, as he was killed in the Philippines in 1521. Led by Juan Sebastián Elcano after Magellan's death, the expedition returned to Spain in 1522, confirming that the earth is round and vastly expanding the known world. Magellan's journey illustrated the potential for maritime exploration, significantly impacting trade, cultural exchange, and the understanding of global geography.