LEIF ERICSSON
c.961 - c.1021
Icelandic Mariner





Leif was the first Norseman to seek out the coast of North America. Leif Ericsson was the son of Eric the Red, the first European colonizer of Greenland. Leif sailed from Green-land to Norway in 1000 where he was converted to Christianity.

According to the 'Saga of Erik' he sailed off course on the return voyage and landed on the coast of North America, probably Nova Scotia which he called 'Vinland'. He made it to Greenland briefly, but returned to lead an expedition to the new land.

Archaeological remains show that the expedition visited Newfound-land and many believe that this was a stopover on their journey farther south to what Ericsson called Vineland, which was probably near the Gulf of St. Lawrence in New Brunswick.

Map Viking journeys to America

www link :
Leif Ericson