Leif Erikson was an Icelandic explorer who was the first European before Columbus to discover America and established a colony in Newfoundland. This inspired others to follow his example, though it would result in violent conflict and killing with the natives. read more
Biography Early Life Leif Eriksson (also spelled Ericson) was born in Iceland around 970 CE. He would eventually earn the nickname “Leif the Lucky.” He was the son of Erik Thorvaldson, better known as “Erik the Red,” and Thorhild. read more
Leif Erikson or Leif Ericson (c. 970 – c. 1020) was a Norse explorer from Iceland. He was the first known European to have discovered continental North America (excluding Greenland), before Christopher Columbus. read more
Leif Eriksson was the son of Erik the Red, founder of the first European settlement on what is now called Greenland. Around A.D. 1000, Eriksson sailed to Norway, where King Olaf I converted him to Christianity. read more