Captain John Smith

The story of Captain John Smith (c.1580-1631), who was a soldier, explorer and colonial governor. Playing an important role in the foundation of Jamestown, Virginia, Smith also led an exploration of Virginia and Chesapeke Bay and became the first English explorer to map this area. Captured by native Americans in 1607, Smith attributed his release to the intervention of Pocahontas. Following injuries resulting from a gunpowder explosion, Smith returned briefly to London before leaving again for America where he explored the coasts of Maine and Massachusetts, mapping and naming the area New England. Returning to England in 1615, Smith wrote of his experiences in Virginia and New England promoting English colonisation.