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Sir Walter Raleigh (also spelt Ralegh) is best known as an English explorer of the Elizabethan and Jacobian ages, noted for popularizing the use of tobacco in the English court. He is falsely credited with introducing both tobacco and potatoes to Europe, but this had in fact been achieved earlier by Spanish navigators.

Sir Walter Raleigh (also spelt Ralegh) is best known as an [[English]] [[explorer]] of the [[Elizabethan]] and [[James_I|Jacobian]] ages, noted for popularizing the use of tobacco in the English court. He is falsely credited with introducing both [[tobacco]] and [[potatoes]] to [[Europe]], but this had in fact been achieved earlier by [[Spanish]] navigators.

Raleigh was born in Hayes Barton in Devonshire, England. There is no accurate record of the date of his birth, but it is believed to have been around the year 1552. He studied in Oxford and London, where he specialized in law.

Raleigh was born in [[Hayes Barton]] in [[Devon|Devonshire]], England. There is no accurate record of the date of his birth, but it is believed to have been around the year 1552. He studied in [[Oxford]] and [[London]], where he specialized in [[law]].

His first expedition to America took place in 1578, travelling with his half-brother Sir Humphrey Gilbert. He returned to the New World in 1585 and attempted to found a British colony at Roanoke Island (now part of North Carolina). However, the colonization did not succeed.

His first expedition to [[America]] took place in 1578, travelling with his half-brother [[Sir Humphrey Gilbert]]. He returned to the [[New World]] in 1585 and attempted to found a British colony at [[Roanoke Island]] (now part of [[North Carolina]]). However, the colonization did not succeed.

Raleigh was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I, but fell foul of her when he secretly married her lady-in-waiting, Elizabeth Throckmorton. Bride and groom were both imprisoned in the Tower of London. On his release Raleigh made further trips to the New World in search of the fabled El Dorado.

Raleigh was a favourite of [[Queen Elizabeth I]], but fell foul of her when he secretly married her lady-in-waiting, Elizabeth Throckmorton. Bride and groom were both imprisoned in the [[Tower of London]]. On his release Raleigh made further trips to the New World in search of the fabled [[El Dorado]].

Soon after the succession of James I to the English throne in 1603, Raleigh was accused of plotting against the new king and sentenced to death. The sentence was commuted to life imprisonment and in the end Raleigh served twelve years. On his release he embarked upion a second failed attempt to find  El Dorado and on his return to England his death sentence was reinstated.

Soon after the succession of [[James I]] to the English throne in 1603, Raleigh was accused of plotting against the new king and sentenced to death. The sentence was commuted to life imprisonment and in the end Raleigh served twelve years. On his release he embarked upion a second failed attempt to find  El Dorado and on his return to England his death sentence was reinstated.

He was beheaded in the Old Palace Yard at Westminster Palace on 29 October 1618.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/raleigh_walter.shtml</ref>

He was beheaded in the Old Palace Yard at [[Westminster Palace]] on 29 October 1618.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/raleigh_walter.shtml</ref>

== References ==

== References ==

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