Born in 1567, Samuel de Champlain was known as being a fantastic French explorer, as well as the primary founder of New France. Champlain first served time in France under the direction of Henry of Navarre, also known as King Henry IV during the religious wars. Given command over a Spanish fleet, Champlain took sail to the West Indies, Mexico, and then the Isthmus of Panama.

This three-year tour was described by Champlain to the French king. Then by 1603, Champlain made his first voyage to New France, this time as a member of the fur trading expedition. As a part of this voyage, he and his fleet explored the St. Lawrence River. For years, sieur de Monts had been in control over the fur trade in this region. Therefore, Champlain returned a year later to establish his own colony at the mouth of St. Croix River.

Just two years later, his colony as moved to Port Royal, today’s Annapolis Royal, N.S., going across the Bay of Fundy. For the following three years, Champlain took time to explore New England’s coastline to the south toward Martha’s Vineyard. At that time, Mt. Desert Island along with many of Maine’s larger rivers was discovered. In fact, this discovery was responsible for the first detailed charts of the coast being made. Soon, Monts’ privileges were taken away, at which time his colony was abandoned. However, Champlain stepped in and with hard work and determination, established a new colony on St. Lawrence River.

By 1608, Champlain sailed the ship Le Don de Dieu in which he took colonists to Quebec. The following spring, Champlain went along with a war party of Huron, fighting the Iroquois. At this time, he discovered the lake now known as Lake Champlain. Then, the Iroquois encountered the French troops, which routed them near Crown Point in New York. This one incidence is now believed by historians to be largely responsible for the Iroquois hating the French.

Then in 1612, Champlain came back to France at which time he was granted control of the fur trade. The next year, he started a new journey to the western lakes but only made it as far as Allumette Island, located in the Ottawa River. However, in 1615, he joined forces with Etienne Brule, as well as a party of Huron on the way to the Georgia Bay on Lake Huron, heading to the southeast via Lake Ontario. He joined yet another Huron party on the way to fight an Onondaga village in what we know today as New York. However, this battle led to Champlain being injured, forcing him to stay with the Huron during the winter months.

From that time forward, Champlain spent his time tending to his colony. Taking the role as “governor”, he finally persuaded Richelieu to found Company of One Hundred Associates. This company was to have one goal - overseeing the welfare of the colony. Then by 1629, the English captured Quebec, which resulted in Champlain living the next four years in exile in England. During this time, he worked on his third edition of Voyages de la Nouvelle France.

In 1632, New France was finally restored, which allowed Champlain to return. Two years later, he was responsible for sending Jean Nicolet to the west, which resulted in the French explorations being extended. In fact, claims as far as Wisconsin were made. Champlain certainly left his mark on history, known for fantastic voyages and publications. In 1635 on Christmas Day, Champlain finally died. Instead of being buried in England, his body was put to rest in Quebec.

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