Today in History: Captain John Smith
Today in History–September 10–the Library of Congress features Captain John Smith, who assumed the presidency of the Jamestown governing council on this date in 1608. Smith helped the colony to survive and thrive during its early years by fortifying the settlement, exploring and documenting the Chesapeake region, and establishing relations with area Native Americans. Learn more about this explorer, writer, and cartographer by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access related resources.
John Smith Became a Leader of Jamestown from America’s Library
Smith rescued by Pocahontas image
Exploits of Captain John Smith online exhibition item
John Smith’s Generall Historie of Virginia
Captain John Smith bio from National Park Service
Featured Source: Virginia by Capt. John Smith guided primary source analysis
Captain John Smith Describes the Voyage of the First Jamestown Colonists primary source text analysis activity