Jerónimo was born in the Azores; from the same Corte-Real family as Gaspar Corte-Real, who in 1500 and 1501 (along with his brothers Miguel and Vasco) sailed to Labrador and the Arctic seas.
Their voyages opened the way for important Portuguese fisheries on the Newfoundland coast.

In his youth Jerónimo fought in Africa and Asia according to the custom of noblemen in that age.
There is a tradition that he was present at the affair of Tangier on May 18, 1553, when Dom Pedro de Menezes met his death.
Returning home, it is supposed about 1570, he spent the rest of his days in retirement.

In 1578 he placed his sword at the disposal of King Sebastian for the fatal expedition to Africa, but the monarch dispensed him from the journey (it is said) on account of his age, and in 1586 we find him acting as Provedor (Chairman) of the Misericórdia of Évora.
He married D. Luísa da Silva, but left no legitimate issue.

Corte-Real was painter as well as soldier and poet, and one of his pictures "Almas" is still preserved in the church of S. Antão at Évora.
His poetical works are believed to have been composed in his old age at the mansion on his estate near Évora, known as Valle de Palma.

He was buried in Évora on 16 November 1588.
Jerónimo was born in the Azores; from the same Corte-Real family as Gaspar Corte-Real, who in 1500 and 1501 (along with his brothers Miguel and Vasco) sailed to Labrador and the Arctic seas. Their voyages opened the way for important Portuguese fisheries on the Newfoundland coast.
In his youth Jerónimo fought in Africa and Asia according to the custom of noblemen in that age. There is a tradition that he was present at the affair of Tangier on May 18, 1553, when Dom Pedro de Menezes met his death. Returning home, it is supposed about 1570, he spent the rest of his days in retirement.
In 1578 he placed his sword at the disposal of King Sebastian for the fatal expedition to Africa, but the monarch dispensed him from the journey (it is said) on account of his age, and in 1586 we find him acting as Provedor (Chairman) of the Misericórdia of Évora. He married D. Luísa da Silva, but left no legitimate issue.
Corte-Real was painter as well as soldier and poet, and one of his pictures "Almas" is still preserved in the church of S. Antão at Évora. His poetical works are believed to have been composed in his old age at the mansion on his estate near Évora, known as Valle de Palma.
He was buried in Évora on 16 November 1588.
Jerónimo Corte-Real