John Smith

Explorer

Birthday January 1, 1580

Birth Sign Capricorn

Birthplace Willoughby, England

DEATH DATE Jun 21, 1631 (51)

#6501 Most Popular

About

English soldier, author, and explorer who was credited with the establishment of the first English settlement in North America.

Before Fame

He left home at age sixteen and became a sailor, and later served as a mercenary to Henry IV of France.

Trivia

He trained settlers to farm and survive in the very first English colony in North America: Jamestown.

Family Life

His father's death inspired him to leave home as a teenager to pursue a sailor's life.

Associated With

He was portrayed by Colin Farrell in the 2005 film The New World.