Gilbert, Sir Humphrey National Historic Person
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Humphrey Gilbert
(© Library and Archives Canada | Bibliothèque et Archives Canada)
Address :
Harbourside Park, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Recognition Statute:
Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date:
1981-01-15
Life Date:
1537 to 1583
Other Name(s):
-
Gilbert, Sir Humphrey
(Designation Name)
Importance:
Leader of 1583 English attempt to establish a colony in Newfoundland
Plaque(s)
Existing plaque: Harbourside Park, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
A native of Devon and half-brother of Walter Raleigh, Humphrey Gilbert was one of the first Englishmen to propose the establishment of colonies in North America. In 1583 as leader of an expedition to seek a likely place for a settlement, he spent two weeks in this vicinity, claiming the surrounding territory for Queen Elizabeth I, asserting his authority over the fishermen in the harbour and exploring the countryside. He left with plans to establish a colony here the following season but on the homeward voyage his small vessel foundered in mid-Atlantic and he was drowned.