The Founder of New France: A Chronicle of Champlain

by Charles W. (Charles William) Colby

"The Founder of New France: A Chronicle of Champlain" by Charles W. Colby is a historical account written in the early 20th century. This work delves into the life and contributions of Samuel de Champlain, the renowned explorer, geographer, and founder of Quebec, crucial to the French colonial enterprise in North America. Colby's narrative aims to capture the adventurous and perilous times Champlain faced while laying the foundations of New France. The opening of the chronicle sets the stage for Champlain’s formative years, detailing his background and early experiences that shaped him into a soldier and navigator before he ventured to the New World. It illustrates Champlain's passion for exploration and his initial foray into colonization efforts in Acadia, leading to his eventual establishment of Quebec. Through engaging details, the text establishes a framework for understanding the dynamic landscape of exploration and the various challenges Champlain navigated amidst political intrigue and competition for resources in 17th-century North America.