Raleigh, Walter, Sir, 1552?-1618

"Walter Raleigh (Hayes Barton, Devonshire, Inglaterra, c.1552-Londres, 29 de octubre de 1618) fue un marino, corsario, escritor, cortesano y político inglés, que popularizó el tabaco en Europa. En la literatura clásica española era conocido como Guantarral. Aliado desde el principio al bando de la reina virgen Isabel I, luchó tenazmente contra los rebeldes irlandeses de Desmond (1583), concibió el proyecto de colonizar América del Norte, fundando en 1584 en la isla de Roanoke (actual Carolina del Norte) la colonia Virginia en honor a la reina Isabel, contribuyó a la derrota de la Armada Invencible española (1588) y luchó en la Invencible Inglesa por devolverle el trono al rey de Portugal con fatídicos resultados (1589)."

"Sir Walter Raleigh (/ˈrɔːli/, /ˈræli/, or /ˈrɑːli/; circa 1554 - 29 October 1618) was an English landed gentleman, writer, poet, soldier, politician, courtier, spy, and explorer. He was cousin to Sir Richard Grenville and younger half-brother of Sir Humphrey Gilbert. He is also well known for popularising tobacco in England. Raleigh was born to a Protestant family in Devon, the son of Walter Raleigh and Catherine Champernowne. Little is known of his early life, though he spent some time in Ireland, in Killua Castle, Clonmellon, County Westmeath, taking part in the suppression of rebellions and participating in the Siege of Smerwick. Later, he became a landlord of property confiscated from the native Irish. He rose rapidly in the favour of Queen Elizabeth I and was knighted in 1585. Raleigh was instrumental in the English colonisation of North America and was granted a royal patent to explore Virginia, which paved the way for future English settlements. In 1591, he secretly married Elizabeth Throckmorton, one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting, without the Queen's permission, for which he and his wife were sent to the Tower of London. After his release, they retired to his estate at Sherborne, Dorset. In 1594, Raleigh heard of a "City of Gold" in South America and sailed to find it, publishing an exaggerated account of his experiences in a book that contributed to the legend of "El Dorado". After Queen Elizabeth died in 1603, Raleigh was again imprisoned in the Tower, this time for being involved in the Main Plot against King James I, who was not favourably disposed toward him. In 1616, he was released to lead a second expedition in search of El Dorado. This was unsuccessful, and men under his command ransacked a Spanish outpost. He returned to England and, to appease the Spanish, was arrested and executed in 1618. Raleigh was one of the most notable figures of the Elizabethan era. In 2002, he was featured in the BBC poll of the 100 Greatest Britons."