Samuel de Champlain

c. 1574 – 25 December 1635

Samuel de Champlain was a French explorer, cartographer, and colonial administrator known as the 'Father of New France'. He founded Quebec City in 1608, explored and mapped much of northeastern North America, and forged alliances with Indigenous nations including the Huron and Algonquin. He governed New France for much of his later life and died in Quebec in 1635.

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Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Samuel de Champlain.

Life events

Born in Brouage, France
c. 1574

Champlain was born in or near the Atlantic port of Brouage; his exact birth date is uncertain, with scholars proposing dates around 1567-1574.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
First voyage to the St. Lawrence River
1603

Champlain joined a fur-trading expedition to Tadoussac and traveled up the St. Lawrence, publishing an account of the voyage on his return.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Explored and mapped Acadia and the New England coast
1604 – 1607

As cartographer for the de Monts expedition, Champlain helped establish settlements at Sainte-Croix and Port-Royal and charted the coast as far south as Cape Cod.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Founded Quebec City
3 July 1608

Champlain established a fortified habitation at Quebec on the St. Lawrence River, the beginning of permanent French settlement in Canada.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Fought alongside Indigenous allies at Lake Champlain
July 1609

Supporting his Huron, Algonquin, and Montagnais allies against the Iroquois, Champlain took part in a battle beside the lake he named after himself.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married Hélène Boullé in Paris
30 December 1610

Champlain married the twelve-year-old Hélène Boullé, daughter of a royal secretary, in an arranged marriage; she later joined him briefly in Quebec.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Explored the Ottawa River route and Huron country
1615 – 1616

Champlain traveled inland to Lake Huron and wintered among the Huron, strengthening the French-Huron alliance.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Surrendered Quebec to the English and was taken to Europe
July 1629

Blockaded and starved out by the Kirke brothers, Champlain surrendered Quebec and spent the following years in England and France until the colony was restored in 1632.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Returned to Quebec as commander of New France
1633

After the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye restored Quebec to France, Champlain returned to govern the colony on behalf of Cardinal Richelieu's Company of One Hundred Associates.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in Quebec
25 December 1635

Champlain died on Christmas Day 1635, several weeks after suffering a severe stroke.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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