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CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH

Captain John Smith was an English explorer and historical writer. He was born in 1579 at Willoughby, Lincolnshire and died in 1632. He fought against the Turks and was with Newport's expedition which founded Virginia in 1607, and on the return journey was imprisoned. Upon his release he became the practical head of Virginia colony. He explored the Chickahominy region and was taken prisoner by the Indian Powhatan, the tale of which forms the basis for the legend of Pocahontas - by his own account, Captain John Smith recounts that he was released after the intercession of the Princess Pocahontas. In 1609 he had an accident and returned to England, and in 1614 was engaged in a voyage of discovery along the New England coast., and in 1617 engaged in a further voyage before retiring to London

He wrote voluminously, but is suspected of romantic exaggeration and colouring. His chief works were: 'A True Relation', 'Generall Historic of Virginia', and a 'Description of New England'.
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