Who Was The English Man That established The Lost Colony

by ADMIN 59 views

The Mysterious Case of the Lost Colony: Unraveling the Story of John White

In the realm of American history, there exists a fascinating and enigmatic tale of a lost colony, which has captivated the imagination of historians and enthusiasts alike. The story revolves around a group of English settlers who established a colony on Roanoke Island in present-day North Carolina, only to vanish into thin air, leaving behind a cryptic message that has puzzled scholars for centuries. At the heart of this mystery lies the figure of John White, an English artist and cartographer who played a pivotal role in the ill-fated colony's establishment. In this article, we will delve into the life and times of John White, exploring his background, his involvement in the Roanoke Colony, and the circumstances surrounding the colony's disappearance.

Who was John White?

John White was born around 1540 in Dorset, England. He was a skilled artist, cartographer, and explorer who had a passion for the New World. White's fascination with the Americas began in the 1570s, when he accompanied Sir Humphrey Gilbert on an expedition to North America. This experience sparked a lifelong interest in the continent, and White went on to become one of the most prominent cartographers of his time.

The Roanoke Colony

In 1584, White was appointed by Sir Walter Raleigh to lead an expedition to Roanoke Island, located off the coast of present-day North Carolina. The colony was established with the aim of establishing a foothold in the New World and potentially finding a route to the Pacific Ocean. White's group consisted of 100 settlers, who arrived on the island in August 1585. The colony was named "Virginia" in honor of the English queen, Elizabeth I.

The Disappearance of the Colony

In 1587, John White returned to England to gather more supplies and to persuade more settlers to join the colony. However, his return was delayed by the English naval war against Spain, and he did not arrive back in Roanoke until 1590. When he finally arrived, he found that the colony had vanished, leaving behind only a few clues as to their fate. The most famous of these clues was the word "CROATOAN" carved into a tree, which some historians believe was a clue left by the colonists indicating that they had moved to a nearby island called Croatoan.

Theories Behind the Disappearance

Over the years, numerous theories have been proposed to explain the disappearance of the Roanoke Colony. Some believe that the colonists were killed by Native Americans, while others suggest that they may have been absorbed into the local population. Another theory is that the colonists may have been taken by Spanish forces, who were known to be active in the region at the time.

John White's Legacy

Despite the tragic outcome of the Roanoke Colony, John White's legacy lives on as a pioneering figure in the history of American exploration. His cartographic work and writings provide valuable insights into the early history of the New World, and his story continues to captivate historians and enthusiasts alike.

The story of John White and the Roanoke Colony is a fascinating and complex tale that has captivated the imagination of historians and enthusiasts for centuries. While the exact circumstances surrounding the colony's disappearance may never be known for certain, John White's legacy as a pioneering figure in American exploration remains an important part of our shared history.

  • 1540: John White is born in Dorset, England
  • 1570s: White accompanies Sir Humphrey Gilbert on an expedition to North America
  • 1584: White is appointed by Sir Walter Raleigh to lead an expedition to Roanoke Island
  • 1585: The Roanoke Colony is established
  • 1587: John White returns to England to gather more supplies and to persuade more settlers to join the colony
  • 1590: White returns to Roanoke Island to find that the colony has vanished

For those interested in learning more about the Roanoke Colony and John White, there are numerous resources available. Some recommended readings include:

  • The Roanoke Colony by David Beers Quinn
  • John White: A Biography by David Beers Quinn
  • The Lost Colony by Paul Green
  • Quinn, D. B. (1955). The Roanoke Colony. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press.
  • Quinn, D. B. (1959). John White: A Biography. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press.
  • Green, P. (1937). The Lost Colony. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press.
    Frequently Asked Questions: The Roanoke Colony and John White

Q: What was the Roanoke Colony?

A: The Roanoke Colony was a group of English settlers who established a colony on Roanoke Island in present-day North Carolina in the late 16th century. The colony was established with the aim of establishing a foothold in the New World and potentially finding a route to the Pacific Ocean.

Q: Who was John White?

A: John White was an English artist, cartographer, and explorer who played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Roanoke Colony. He was born around 1540 in Dorset, England, and had a passion for the New World. White was appointed by Sir Walter Raleigh to lead an expedition to Roanoke Island in 1584.

Q: What happened to the Roanoke Colony?

A: The Roanoke Colony disappeared mysteriously in 1590, leaving behind only a few clues as to their fate. The most famous of these clues was the word "CROATOAN" carved into a tree, which some historians believe was a clue left by the colonists indicating that they had moved to a nearby island called Croatoan.

Q: Why did the Roanoke Colony disappear?

A: There are numerous theories as to why the Roanoke Colony disappeared, including:

  • Native American attacks
  • Absorption into the local population
  • Spanish forces
  • Disease
  • Starvation

Q: What was the significance of the word "CROATOAN"?

A: The word "CROATOAN" was carved into a tree by the colonists, and is believed by some historians to be a clue left by the colonists indicating that they had moved to a nearby island called Croatoan. However, the meaning of the word is still a topic of debate among historians.

Q: What was the impact of the Roanoke Colony on American history?

A: The Roanoke Colony was an important milestone in the history of American exploration, and its disappearance has been the subject of much speculation and debate. The colony's failure to establish a successful settlement in the New World had significant implications for the development of the United States.

Q: What can we learn from the Roanoke Colony?

A: The Roanoke Colony provides a fascinating case study in the challenges and risks of establishing a new settlement in a foreign land. The colony's failure to adapt to the local environment and its inability to establish a stable food supply are important lessons for anyone interested in the history of American exploration.

Q: Are there any modern-day connections to the Roanoke Colony?

A: Yes, there are several modern-day connections to the Roanoke Colony, including:

  • The Outer Banks, a chain of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina, where the Roanoke Colony was established
  • The Croatoan Island, a small island off the coast of North Carolina, where some historians believe the colonists may have moved
  • The Lost Colony, a play written by Paul Green in 1937, which tells the story of the Roanoke Colony's disappearance

Q: How can I learn more about the Roanoke Colony and John White?

A: There are numerous resources available for those interested in learning more about the Roanoke Colony and John White, including:

  • Books: The Roanoke Colony by David Beers Quinn, John White: A Biography by David Beers Quinn, The Lost Colony by Paul Green
  • Museums: The Fort Raleigh National Historic Site in Manteo, North Carolina, which commemorates the site of the Roanoke Colony
  • Online resources: The National Park Service's website, which provides information on the Roanoke Colony and its history.