Walter Raleigh

English statesman, soldier and writer (1552–1618)

Sir Walter Raleigh (c. 1554–29 October 1618) was an English aristocrat, writer, poet, soldier, spy, and explorer. He helped make tobacco popular in England, especially among people in the royal court.[2]

Sir Walter Raleigh
Portrait of Sir Walter Raleigh inscribed right: Aetatis suae 34 An(no) 1588 ("In the year 1588 of his age 34") and left: with his motto Amore et Virtute ("By Love and Virtue"). National Portrait Gallery, London, NPG 7
Portrait of Sir Walter Raleigh inscribed right: Aetatis suae 34 An(no) 1588 ("In the year 1588 of his age 34") and left: with his motto Amore et Virtute ("By Love and Virtue"). National Portrait Gallery, London, NPG 7
Bornc. 1552 (or 1554)
Hayes Barton, East Budleigh, Devon, England
Died(1618-10-29)29 October 1618 (aged c. 65)
London, England
OccupationWriter, poet, soldier, courtier, explorer
NationalityEnglish
Alma materOriel College, Oxford
SpouseElizabeth Throckmorton
ChildrenDamerei, Walter (Wat),[1] Carew

Signature

Raleigh was born to a Protestant family in East Budleigh,[3] in Devon, the son of Walter Raleigh and Catherine Champernowne. Walter Raleigh was married to a woman called Elizabeth Throckmorten. He had 3 sons named Damerei Raleigh, Walter Raleigh and Carew Raleigh.[3]

In 1594, Raleigh heard of a "City of Gold" in South America and sailed to find it, writing an exaggerated story of his trip in a book. He explored North Carolina all the way down to Florida.[3] This book made people believe in the legend of "El Dorado". After Queen Elizabeth died in 1603, Raleigh was put in prison because he was accused of trying to overthrow King James I, who did not like Raleigh. In 1616, he was released to go look for El Dorado again. This was unsuccessful, and Raleigh's men attacked a Spanish outpost. He returned to England. The Spanish were upset, so to calm them, England arrested Raleigh and executed him by beheading (decapitation)[3] on 29 October 1618.

References change

  1. "Sir Walter Raleigh". Nndb.com. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  2. "BBC - History - Historic Figures: Walter Raleigh (c.1552 - 1618)". bbc.co.uk. 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Sir Walter Raleigh - the History of the World, Tobacco & Wife". 15 April 2021.

Other websites change