In 1595 Raleigh headed an exploring expedition to the Guiana region on the north coast of South America in search of the fabled El Dorado, the legendary ruler of a region abounding in gold and jewels. His trip was unsuccessful, and after much hardship he returned home empty-handed.

Politician and poet, soldier and sailor, explorer and historian, Walter Raleigh exemplifies the many-sided genius demonstrated by a number of notable men and women during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. His heroic activities typify the bold imagination and adventurous life of the era. Raleigh's principal claim to fame, however, rests on his efforts to colonize the New World. His dream of establishing a New England beyond the Atlantic sustained him through years of disappointment.

Raleigh was born at Hayes Barton, Devonshire, in about 1554. In 1569 he went to France, where he fought on the side of the Huguenots (or French Protestants) in that country's wars of religion. He later attended Oriel College, Oxford, and Middle Temple, a law schools in London. In 1580 his participation in the suppression of the Irish rebellion in Munster attracted attention, and soon afterward he was introduced at court, where he became a favorite of Elizabeth I. A famous story about Raleigh tells how he won the queen's favor by placing his velvet cloak over a muddy spot in her path so that she could walk over it without soiling her shoes.

Raleigh's tall and handsome figure, his dark hair, lofty forehead, resolute bearing, courtly manners, and spirited wit all combined to form an imposing personality. But he could also be haughty, and because his pride and impatience made him many enemies he was never fully admitted to the queen's counsels in matters of state. The playful name of Water that she applied to him would indicate that she recognized the instability of character that was his great fault and that in the end brought about his ruin. Elizabeth, however, lavished numerous favors upon him throughout her reign. He was awarded large properties in Ireland and in 1585 was knighted. In return he discharged with conspicuous ability the responsibilities of several important positions to which she appointed him.

Before his appearance at court Raleigh had gone on voyages of discovery with his half brother, Sir Humphrey Gilbert. Up to that time the English had made no permanent settlements in America. Raleigh's position at court gave him an opportunity to press for this project, though the queen would not let him lead any of his colonizing expeditions in person.

Tireless in his efforts to establish an English colony in America, Raleigh sent out expedition after expedition. The name Virginia--in honor of the Virgin Queen, as Elizabeth was called--was given to the area explored in 1584 by one of these expeditions. Three settlements were made on islands off the North Carolina coast, but none survived. (For the story of the Lost Colony of Roanoke see Search for the lost colony.)

Raleigh's pioneer work paved the way for later settlements in the New World. When some of his followers returned to England, they brought back tobacco from America. By popularizing its use Raleigh created a demand for the tobacco leaf, which became a profitable crop in the colonies. He also helped introduce tobacco and potatoes in Ireland.

In 1595 Raleigh headed an exploring expedition to the Guiana region on the north coast of South America in search of the fabled El Dorado, the legendary ruler of a region abounding in gold and jewels. His trip was unsuccessful, and after much hardship he returned home empty-handed. He recounted his adventures in a book published in 1596, `The Discovery of Guiana'. In the same year he took part in an expedition against Cαdiz, Spain.

Raleigh's popularity at court had begun to decline when the queen found out about his secret marriage to one of her maids of honor, Elizabeth Throckmorton. When Elizabeth I died and James I came to the throne, Raleigh's situation quickly grew worse. The Scottish king, suspecting that Raleigh had worked against his becoming king of England, revoked Raleigh's numerous offices and privileges.

In July 1603 Raleigh was arrested and sent to the Tower of London. After a grossly unfair trial he was condemned to death for conspiring against the king 's life. His gallant bearing turned public opinion in his favor, however, and the death sentence was suspended. During the 13 years he spent as a prisoner in the Tower, his wife and son were often permitted to live with him, and he was visited by many great scholars and poets. He worked on a book, `The History of the World', for King James's son, Prince Henry, whose favor he enjoyed. One volume of this vast project was finished, carrying the narrative only to 130 BC. Raleigh also wrote on political philosophy and was a skillful poet.

In 1616 Raleigh finally persuaded King James to release him so that he might lead an expedition to the Orinoco River and bring back gold from a mine he claimed to have discovered. Disobeying the king's orders, Raleigh's men fought the Spaniards while he was incapacitated by a severe fever. Raleigh returned empty-handed to face the protests of Spain. King James, who wanted to remain on good terms with Spain, arrested him once again. Raleigh was executed in 1618 under his old sentence, which had never been revoked. Cheerful and resolute to the last, he asked to see the ax when he was led to the scaffold. Touching the edge, he said, "This is a sharp medicine, but it is a sure cure for all diseases." Raleigh died on Oct. 29, 1618, in London.