Samuel
de Champlain -
Father of
New France
- Born in 1567 in the
seaport of Brouage, France.
- In his growing up years,
he learns navigation and mapping skills from his father
and uncle.
- Acquires military
experience in France.
- Becomes commander of a
Spanish ship destined for the West Indies and learned
much about the set -up and organization of Spanish
colonies.
- He becomes an excellent
cartographer, illustrator, and writer.
- He earns the title of
Royal Cartographer in France.
- Helps to build a
settlement on Sainte-Croix Island in 1603 (very harsh
winter with many casualties).
- In 1604, he helps to build
a settlement at Port-Royal in Acadia.
- In 1607, he helps to build
a settlement at Québec.
- In his journals, he
provided much information on the French colonies as well
as on their inhabitants.
- Many religious orders were
brought by him from his homeland to New
France.
- He gave solid foundations
to New France by establishing a permanent fur trade,
which allowed the colony to live on after his
death.
- He died in 1635.
Source: Arnold & Gibbs, in
"Second regard sur le Canada 6," pages 206-207.
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