Humphrey Gilbert (c. 1537 – 1583) was an English adventurer, soldier, explorer, and member of the English Parliament during the Elizabethan era. He is best known for his attempts to establish English colonies in North America, one of the first English explorers to do so.
Born into a family of landed gentry, Humphrey Gilbert pursued a career in the military and served in Ireland during his early years. He gained recognition for his military successes, particularly in suppressing rebellions. Gilbert's ambition led him to advocate for English expansion into the New World, inspired by the wealth and resources that Spain had gained through its colonies.
In 1578, Gilbert received a royal patent from Queen Elizabeth I granting him the authority to establish colonies in uncharted territories. He embarked on numerous expeditions to North America, attempting to found settlements and laying England's claim to new lands. While he never succeeded in establishing a permanent colony, his efforts paved the way for later English colonization endeavors.
Unfortunately, Humphrey Gilbert met a tragic end during his final expedition in 1583. His ship, the Squirrel, was lost at sea, and Gilbert himself went down with it. Despite his struggles, he is remembered as a prominent figure in England's age of exploration, the precursor to the eventual establishment of successful English colonies in North America.
