who was john smith

John Smith (c. 1579 - June 21, 1631) was an English soldier, explorer, colonial governor, admiral of New England, and author. He is best known for his significant role in establishing Jamestown, Virginia, the first permanent English settlement in North America, founded in 1607. Smith was a leader of the Virginia Colony from 1608 to 1609 and conducted important explorations and mapping of the Chesapeake Bay and the coast of New England. Smith helped save the Jamestown colony from early disaster by training settlers to work in farming and fishing and enforcing the rule "He that will not work, shall not eat." He also established trade relations with the local Powhatan Indians and led expeditions to map the region. After being injured by a gunpowder explosion in 1609, he returned to England and never went back to Virginia. Later, he promoted English colonization of New England through his writings and maps. Smith died in London in 1631 at about the age of 51.