Which Italian explorer was hired by Henry VIII to find a route to Asia in 1497?

John Cabot, an Italian explorer, was commissioned by Henry VIII of England in 1497 to seek a northwest passage to Asia. Cabot's voyage resulted in him landing in what is today Newfoundland, marking one of the earliest European explorations of North America since the Viking expeditions. His journey was significant as it laid the groundwork for later exploration and eventual colonization efforts by England in the New World.

The interest in finding a new route to Asia during this period stemmed from the lucrative trade in spices and other goods. Henry VIII's support for Cabot's expedition was part of England's broader ambitions to compete with other European powers that were actively establishing trade routes and colonies. Cabot's exploration contributed to England's understanding of the Atlantic and its potential for future voyages.

The other explorers mentioned—Amerigo Vespucci, Giovanni da Verrazzano, and Ferdinand Magellan—were involved in significant explorations but did not have the same commissioning by Henry VIII in 1497. Vespucci is known for his contributions to understanding the New World as distinct from Asia, Verrazzano for exploring the North American coast for France, and Magellan for his famous circumnavigation of the globe under Spanish sponsorship.