John Smith

John Smith was an English soldier and explorer who played a significant role in the establishment of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America. While in North America he led an extensive exploration of the regions surrounding Virginia and mapped the Chesapeake Bay area and New England, becoming the first English explorer to do so. He was an expert at drawing maps and this skill of his greatly helped the English in exploring new areas for colonizing in the New World. Born into a farming family, he developed an early interest in travelling and exploring. His father died when he was 16 and he left his home at around this time to seek out his future. He traveled to France and joined the French army in their fight for Dutch independence from the Spanish King Phillip II. After returning to England and studying horsemanship, he went to Hungary to fight the Turks. Following his capture by the enemy, ill treatment and subsequent escape from his tormentors, he returned to England. His experiences further fuelled his love for adventure and he became involved with the Virginia Company which sponsored an expedition to North America. The English reached Jamestown in 1607 and Smith played a significant role in establishing the territory as an English colony