Historical Figures

What roles did leaders like john smith and winthrop fill?

John Smith (1580-1631)

* English explorer, soldier, and colonist

* Leader of the Jamestown colony in Virginia (1607-1609)

* President of the Jamestown colony (1608-1609)

* Governor of the Jamestown colony (1609-1610)

* Explored the Chesapeake Bay and other parts of Virginia

* Wrote several books about his experiences in Virginia, including _The Generall Historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles_ (1624)

John Winthrop (1588-1649)

* English Puritan lawyer and politician

* First governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony (1630-1634)

* Reelected governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony (1637-1638, 1640-1641, 1643-1644, 1646-1649)

* Led the Massachusetts Bay Colony through the early years of its settlement

* Wrote several influential religious and political treatises, including _A Modell of Christian Charity_ (1630) and _Arbitrary Government Described and the Government of the Massachusetts Vindicated_ (1644)

Both Smith and Winthrop were important leaders in the early history of the United States. Smith helped to establish the first permanent English settlement in North America, and Winthrop led the Massachusetts Bay Colony through its early years. Both men were also influential writers, and their works helped to shape the development of American thought and culture.