Cobo, Juan

Cobo, Juan a Spanish Dominican, was born at Alcazar dea Consuegra, near Toledo. He became a monk at Ocafi, and engaged first in teaching in different convents of his order, and afterwards attached himself to foreign missions. Cobo sailed for Mexico in May 1586, where, in a short time, he became very famous as a preacher, but was soon afterwards sent to the Philippine Isles. Cobo arrived at Manilla in June 1588, and, in order to instruct the Chinese resident there, studied that language. In 1592 he was appointed to the chair of theology at Manilla, but was soon after sent to the emperor of Japan, on an embassy of alliance, which he accomplished successfully. On his return, in November, 1592, the vessel was cast upon the coast of Formosa, and all the passengers were massacred by the inhabitants. Cobo composed several works for the use of missionaries, especially on the Chinese language, for which see Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.; Biog. Universelle, s.v.