Eric the Red (born c. 950), Viking rover and founder of the first Scandinavian settlement in Greenland, was one of the early Viking explorers of North America.

Born in Norway about 950, Eric Thorvaldsson, who is known as Eric the Red, left that country as a child when his father, Thorvald, was exiled to Iceland. The family settled in the western part of the island, where Greenland could be seen 175 miles away. He married Thorhild, daughter of Jorund Atlisson, and probably as part of her dowry received land at Eriksstadir in Haukadale. His thralls caused a landslide to overwhelm the home of Valthiof and his family, whose kinsman Eyjolf in turn slew the thralls. In retaliation Eric killed Eyjolf and as a result was banished from Haukadale.

Eric retired to an island, leaving with Thorgest his diasposts, which were Viking symbols of authority and had religious significance. On Eric's return...