1585-1622

English colonist who discovered a method for curing tobacco, and was the first known settler in the New World to cultivate the crop. Rolfe arrived in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1610, and by 1616 he had a successful tobacco crop using seeds probably obtained from the West Indies. Tobacco would have an impact on the economies of Virginia and neighboring North Carolina that is still felt today. Rolfe is also famous as the husband of Pocahontas; ironically, it is believed that he was killed by Native Americans near his home.