Walter Raleigh

About

English explorer, aristocrat, spy, poet, writer, and soldier who popularized tobacco in England.

Before Fame

He founded an early American colony at Roanoke.

Trivia

He fought at the siege of Smerwick, where he organized the massacre of Spanish and Italian soldiers after they had admitted defeat.

Family Life

He secretly married Elizabeth Raleigh, one of a Queen Elizabeth I's ladies-in-waiting, without the Queen's permission, and when his ruse was uncovered, he was sentenced to the infamous Tower of London. He had three children named Carew, Damerei and Walter.

Associated With

He was a famous English explorer, whereas Jacques Cartier was a famous French explorer.