Francisco Barreto | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Portrait in Livro de Lisuarte de Abreu, c. 1560. | |
| Governor of India | |
| In office 1555–1558 | |
| Monarchs | John III Sebastian |
| Preceded by | Pedro Mascarenhas |
| Succeeded by | Constantino de Bragança |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1520 Faro, Kingdom of Portugal |
| Died | 9 July 1573 (aged 52–53) Portuguese Mozambique |
| Spouse | Brites de Ataíde |
Francisco Barreto (occasionally Francisco de Barreto, 1520 – 9 July 1573) was a Portuguese soldier and explorer. An officer in Morocco during his early life, Barreto sailed to Portuguese India and was eventually appointed viceroy of the colony. After his return to Lisbon, he was tasked with an expedition to southeast Africa in search of legendary gold mines. Barreto died in what is now Mozambique, having never reached the mines.