John white roanoke biography for kids
John White and his attempts to colonize Roanoke Island
John White, an explorer, artist, and colonial governor, played a significant role in England’s early efforts to establish colonies in the New World.
His life and career are closely tied to the mysterious disappearance of the Roanoke Colony, often referred to as the “Lost Colony.” White’s legacy endures through his detailed watercolor paintings of Native American peoples and landscapes, as well as his involvement in one of the most famous unsolved mysteries in American history.
John White’s life was marked by ambition, artistic achievement, and ultimately, tragic loss as he grappled with the failure of England’s first colonial ventures. Image: Governor White returns to the “Lost Colony”.
READ MORE: Early European Colonies in North America that Failed
Early Life and Background
John White’s exact birthdate is unknown, but it is believed that he was born in London sometime in the 1530s or 1540s. His early life is shrouded in mystery, with little known about his education or training as an artist. White likely apprenticed as an illustrator in London, and over time, his skills as a mapmaker and watercolorist gained recognition. By the late 16th century, England was turning its attention to overseas expansion, particularly in the Americas, and White became involved in these ventures.
In 1566, White married Tomasyn Cooper, with whom he had two children: a son, Thomas, who died young, and a daughter, Eleanor. Eleanor would later play a central role in White’s life and in the history of the Roanoke Colony.
England’s Early Colonial Ambitions
In the latter half of the 16th century, England, under Queen Elizabeth I, began to explore opportunities for establishing colonies in the New World. The promise of untapped resources, trade opportunities, and territorial expansion attracted many English explorers and investors. Sir Walter Raleigh, a favorite of Queen Elizabe (1540-1593) In April 1585 John White sailed on an expedition that planted a settlement on Roanoke Island. He executed many paintings and sketches of the region. The colony was abandoned in 1586, and he returned to England. In 1587 he sailed as governor of a second colony that Sir Walter Raleigh attempted to found in North America. The colony was established on Roanoke Island that July. We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us! English governor of the Roanoke Colony (1587 to 1590) For information about other persons with the name John White, see John White (disambiguation). John White The return of Governor White to the "Lost Colony" London, England Tomasyn Cooper John White (c. 1539–c. 1593) was an English colonial governor, explorer, artist, and cartographer. White was among those who sailed with Richard Grenville in the first attempt to colonize Roanoke Island in 1585, acting as artist and mapmaker to the expedition. He would most famously briefly serve as the governor of the second attempt to found Roanoke Colony on the same island in 1587 and discover the colonists had mysteriously vanished. During his time at Roanoke Island, he made several watercolor sketches of the surrounding landscape and the native Algonkin peoples. These works are significant as they are the most informative illustrations of a Native American society of the Eastern seaboard; the surviving original watercolors are now preserved in the print room of the British Museum. In 1587, White became governor of Sir Walter Raleigh's failed attempt at a permanent settlement on Roanoke Island, known to history as the "Lost Colony". This was the earliest effort to establish a permanent English colony in the New World. White's granddaughter Virginia Dare was the first English child born in North America. In late 1587, White returned to England for supplies. The return expedition was delayed due to various reasons, including the Spanish Armada. Governor White finally returned to Roanoke Island in August 1590, but found the colony had been long deserted. After the failure of the colony, White retired to Raleigh .John White
Synopsis
John White (colonist and artist)
Born c. 1539 Died c. 1593 (aged c. 54) Occupations Spouse Children Eleanor and 1 son Patron(s) Sir Walter Raleigh