Infante Henrique, also known as Prince Henry the Navigator, was a Portuguese royal born in 1394. He played a crucial 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 world and laid the groundwork for future exploration. Although he never sailed on these voyages himself, Infante Henrique established a school of navigation in Sagres, Portugal. This institution brought together the best navigators, cartographers, and astronomers of the time, significantly advancing maritime technology and navigation techniques.