Estêvão da Gama (15th century)

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Estêvão da Gama (about 1430 – July 1497) was a rich Portuguese nobleman of the 15th century.

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

By his wife, Isabel Sodré (of English origin, with links to the household of Prince Diogo: Duke of Viseu, son of King Edward I of Portugal, and governor of the military order Order of Christ), Estevão da Gama fathered Paulo da Gama and Vasco da Gama, the discoverer of the sea route from Europe to India that would permit trade with the Far East, without the use of the costly and unsafe Silk Road caravan routes, dominated by Muslims, in the Middle East and Asia.

Estevão da Gama was initially chosen to lead the expedition to open the sea routes to Asia, to outflank the Muslims, who then had a monopoly on trade with India and other eastern nations. Having died in July 1497, the command of the expedition was given to his son Vasco. It is also believed that command of the mission was offered to Vasco's brother and Estevão's oldest son, Paulo, but that he turned it down.

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