Champlain (SAMUEL DE a born at Brouage)

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

2026 Editor's Note: This page uses language about other peoples, religions, or nationalities that was commonplace when the book was published and is offensive by today's standards. The text has been left exactly as it was printed, rather than cut or softened, so that the historical record — including how ordinary such language once was — is preserved. (Ed: ET 2026-07-22) SAMUEL DE, a born at Brouage, Saintonge, about 1570. French navigator, colonizer, and soldier, In early life he served in the army of Henri IV., but in January, 1599, as commander of the ship "St. Julien," sailed to the West Indies, Mexico, and Panama. SAMUEL DE CHAMPLAIN On his return (1601) he prepared a record of this cruise, with charts, etc. In March, 1603, he sailed for North America in the ship of Pontgrave, and explored, by boat, the St. Lawrence river up to the Falls of St. Louis, and down to Gaspé. Returning to France he published his "The Savages." In May, 1604, he sailed with De Monts along the shores of Nova Scotia, wintered on the island of St. Croix, and founded a colony at Port Royal. From 1604 to 1606 he careful surveys and charts of the coast as far as Cape Cod. He revisited France in 1607, but sailed again in 1608, and founded Quebec, which, owing to the development of its fur-trade, rapidly increased in size. In 1609 he accompanied an Algonquin and Huron expedition against the Iroquois, and thereby discovered Lake Champlain, on the borders of which the Iroquois were defeated. From September, 1609, to March, 1610, he was engaged in bringing over French mechanics for his colony. He became lieutenant-governor of New France (Oct. 8, 1612); fortified Quebec (1620); but was compelled (1629) to surrender to an English fleet, and was taken to England. Released in 1632, he sailed again for New France, with three well-equipped , and spent his last years in the vessels government and development of the French colonies. He died in Quebec, Dec. 25, 1635.