Samuel de Champlain facts for kids

Samuel de Champlain
Detail from "Deffaite des Yroquois au Lac de Champlain," from Champlain's Voyages (1613). This is the only contemporary likeness of the explorer to survive to the present. It is also a self-portrait.
Born	between 1567 and 1580 (most probably near 1580) Brouage, Province of Saintonge, France
Died	December 25, 1635 Quebec, Canada, New France
Occupation	navigator, cartographer, soldier, explorer, administrator and chronicler of New France
Known for	exploration of New France, foundation of Quebec City, Canada, being called The Father of New France
Signature

Samuel de Champlain (c. 1567 – 25 December 1635) was a French navigator, cartographer, draughtsman, soldier, explorer, geographer, ethnologist, diplomat and chronicler. He is called "The Father of New France". He founded Quebec City on July 3, 1608. In 1609 he discovered Lake Champlain, which is named for him. He married Hélène Boullé when he was 43 and she was 12. Their marriage contract required them to wait two years until she had reached the age of consent before the marriage could be consummated.

Images for kids

• 

  Sir Sandford Fleming Park, Halifax, Nova Scotia – Stone from Samuel de Champlain's birthplace in Brouage, France (1574)

• 

  Champlain and guide in Isle La Motte, Vermont, at the site Champlain is said to have first set foot in Vermont (and encamped) in 1609. Lake Champlain is in the background. (Sculptor E.L.Weber, 1967; Photo by Matt Wills, 2009)

• 

  Plaque in Honfleur commemorating Champlain's departures

• 

  Painting by George Agnew Reid, done for the third centennial (1908), showing the arrival of Samuel de Champlain on the site of Quebec City.

• 

  Engraving based on a drawing by Champlain of his 1609 voyage. It depicts a battle between Iroquois and Algonquian tribes near Lake Champlain

• 

  Chaleur Bay and Gulf of Saint Lawrence — extract of Champlain 1612 map

• 

  Map of New France (Champlain, 1612). A more precise map was drawn by Champlain in 1632.

• 

  19th century artist's conception of Champlain by E. Ronjat.

• 

  Statue of Samuel de Champlain at sunrise (looking to the north-west; with a similar expressive face as traditionally Jacques Cartier's), by Paul-Romain Chevré (Paris, 1896–1898), as newly repaired for 2008, at Quebec City since 1898, near Château Frontenac grand hotel, on the Terrasse Dufferin.