Samuel de Champlain Biography

Samuel de Champlain was a French navigator, soldier and explorer who founded Quebec City in New France in 1608. Famously known as "The Father of New France", he was a well-known consolidator of the French colonies in the New World. A highly versatile man, he was a skilled geographer, ethnologist and draughtsman and his talents helped him greatly during his numerous expeditions and journeys. He was born into a family of mariners in France and inherited his father’s love for navigation. He learnt to draw maps, make nautical charts and write practical reports while still young and harbored ambitious dreams for his future. He went on to serve in the army of King Henry IV during the later stages of France's religious wars and became skilled at fighting with firearms. His uncle asked Samuel to accompany him on his voyage to Spain to which the young man readily agreed. He gained substantial practical experience over the course of the voyages he undertook with his uncle. He was eventually appointed as a geographer under King Henry IV and joined François Gravé Du Pont's expedition to Canada. He soon gained a reputation as a skilled explorer and soon led his own expedition to Canada and established what is now known as Quebec City.