Smith left home at age 16 after the death of his father. In the years that followed he would find himself involved in a number of professions including soldier, cartographer, ethnographer, trader, governor, sailor and writer. Though talented in many areas, Smith was also an ambitious, proud self-promoter. Many scholars believe he was one of the key reasons Jamestown managed to survive its early years, while others point out his almost constant problems with other settlers and the colony's authorities. He escaped the gallows for various misdeeds (including accusations of mutiny) more than once. Smith could be a charming negotiator or a cruel adversary and was not above using force to achieve his goals.

1596: Served as a mercenary with the Dutch army against the Spanish

1598: Served as merchant sailor

1601: Joined European armies fighting Turks in Transylvania

Sold into slavery

During the campaign against the Turks, Smith was wounded, captured and sold into slavery. His master's sweetheart is said to have fallen in love with him during his captivity. He managed to escape while being trained for Turkish imperial service. His flight took him through Russia, Poland and eventually North Africa before he returned to England.

Jamestown

Smith was among the first settlers in Jamestown. His encounter with Pocahontas occurred in December 1607 when he was 27. Between 1607 and 1609 Smith acted as a stabilizing force as the colony experienced its worst period of starvation, disease and Indian attacks. In 1609, a bag of gunpowder Smith was carrying on a belt ignited and burned him severely. He returned to England to recover. He would never see Virginia again.

Smith returned to America in 1614, spending several months exploring the coast of Massachusetts and the area he would name "New England."

He died in 1631 at age 51.

Pocahontas

Born: 1595

Pocahontas was one of the many children of Chief Powhatan. Her real name was Matoaka, although she is more commonly known as Pocahontas, which means frisky or playful. Pocahontas developed a close bond with John Smith and became a frequent visitor to Jamestown following her life-saving encounter with the adventurer. Through Pocahontas, Jamestown realized a period of relative peace. On her visits she brought food and trade goods that were essential for the survival of the settlement.

Relations between the Indians and the English deteriorated, and with Smith's departure in 1609, Pocahontas' visits became less frequent. In 1610 she married an Indian named Kocoum, who died soon after. Two years later, at age 17, she was kidnapped and ransomed by Captain Samuel Argall in an attempt to recover eight Englishmen held by Chief Powhatan. During her one-year captivity, Pocahontas converted to Christianity and fell in love with John Rolfe. Pocahontas was baptized Rebecca and married Rolfe in 1614. A year later she gave birth to a son, Thomas.

London