Count Henry of Portugal, also known as Henry the Navigator, was a Portuguese nobleman born in 1394. He played a significant role in the early days of the Age of Discovery by sponsoring numerous expeditions along the west coast of Africa. His efforts helped to expand European knowledge of the African continent and its resources. Although he never personally embarked on voyages, Count Henry established a school of navigation in Sagres, which attracted many explorers and cartographers. His contributions laid the groundwork for Portugal's maritime empire and significantly influenced the course of global exploration in the 15th century.