What is John Smith best known for?

John Smith was an English explorer, soldier and writer best known for his role in establishing the first permanent English colony in the New World at Jamestown, Virginia. Smith's legend has grown over the centuries, in particular due to the popular story of his involvement with Pocahontas, a native American princess. read more

Born in 1579 or 1580 in Lincolnshire, England, John Smith eventually made his way to America to help govern the British colony of Jamestown. After allegedly being saved from death by Pocahontas, he established trading agreements with native tribes. read more

Smith scholars are given a chance to appreciate the similarities and differences of perception among a number of eyewitness texts. This is ethno-history at its best. Striker, Laura Polanyi, and Bradford Smith. “The Rehabilitation of Captain John Smith.” Journal of Southern History 28.4 (November 1962): 474–481. read more