Sir Walter Raleigh (c. 1552 – 29 October 1618) is an English aristocrat, writer, poet, soldier, courtier, and explorer who is also largely known for popularizing tobacco in England.

Raleigh was born to a Protestant family in Devon, the son of Walter Raleigh and Catherine Champernowne.

Little is known for certain of his early life, though he spends some time in Ireland, in Killua Castle, Clonmellon, County Westmeath, taking part in the suppression of rebellions and participating in two infamous massacres at Rathlin Island and Smerwick.

Later he becomes a landlord of properties confiscated from the Irish.

He rises rapidly in Queen Elizabeth I's favor, being knighted in 1585.

He is involved in the early English colonization of Virginia under a royal patent.

In 1591 he secretly marries Elizabeth Throckmorton, one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting, without the Queen's permission, for which he and his wife are sent to the Tower of London.

After his release, they retire to his estate at Sherborne, Dorset.

In 1594 Raleigh hears of a "City of Gold" in South America and sails to find it, publishing an exaggerated account of his experiences in a book that contributes to the legend of "El Dorado".

After Queen Elizabeth dies in 1603, Raleigh is again imprisoned in the Tower, this time for allegedly being involved in the Main Plot against King James I, who is not favorably disposed toward him.

In 1616, however, he is released in order to conduct a second expedition in search of El Dorado.

This is unsuccessful and men under his command ransack a Spanish outpost.

He returns to England, and to appease the Spanish is arrested and executed in 1618.