Samuel de Champlain

Definition

A French explorer who founded Quebec City in 1608 and is often referred to as "The Father of New France". He also mapped much of northeastern North America and started relationships with several Native American tribes.

Analogy

Consider Samuel de Champlain as an architect who not only designed a building (Quebec City) but also laid out blueprints for an entire neighborhood (New France). His exploration paved way for future development just like an architect's design does for construction projects.

Related terms

New France: The area colonized by France in North America during a period beginning with the exploration of Gulf Saint Lawrence by Jacques Cartier in 1534 until cession of New France to Spain and Britain in 1763.

Quebec City: Capital city of Canadian province Quebec; founded by Samuel de Champlain as his "habitation" within his colony New France.

Coureurs de bois: French-Canadian woodsmen who traveled in New France and the interior of North America to trade with Native American tribes, independent of governmental control.