Samuel de Champlain

Samuel de Champlain was born in 1582 in St. Malo, France. Educated as a priest, Champlain had a more adventurous heart and thus left the cloth to join the navy. In 1607, he was sent to America to establish a settlement for France.

On July 3, 1608, Champlain founded Quebec, the third oldest permanent settlement in North America. He was dubbed the "Father of New France". He may have been in the Detroit area between 1610 and 1612, which would make him the first European to see the area. Champlain was a mentor to Etienne Brulé.

Champlain was governor of New France from 1612 to 1619 and from 1633 to 1635.

Champlain had a key role in the development of the Iroquois hatred for the French. He favored the Ouendots (Hurons) and used a large, deadly weapon known as an arquebus against the Iroquois to defend them. Several Iroquois were killed and as a result, atrocities against the Ouendots increased and a hatred for the French was developed.

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Links to more Samuel de Champlain Sites

• American Treasures of the Library of Congress: Champlain's 1607 Map
• Cybersleuthkids - Explorers on the Web: Samuel de Champlain Great Canadian Explorers: Samuel de Champlain (French and English)
• Enchanted Learning: Samuel de Champlain
• Historic Lakes: Samuel de Champlain Adventurer in New France
• Historical Biographies, Nova Scotia: Samuel de Champlain (1567-1635)
• Modern History Sourcebook: Samuel de Champlain: The Foundation of Quebec, 1608