Eric the Red

Discovered Greenland approx 981 Erik Thorvaldsson known as Erik the Red was a Norwegian Viking, remembered in medieval and Icelandic saga sources as having founded the first Norse settlement in Greenland. The Icelandic tradition indicates that he was born in the Jæren district of Rogaland, Norway, as the son of Þorvald Ásvaldsson, he therefore also appears, patronymically, as Erik Thorvaldsson (Eiríkr Þorvaldsson). The appellation "the Red" most likely refers to his hair color[2] and the color of his beard.[3] Leif Erikson, the famous Icelandic explorer, was Erik's son. Erik Thorvaldsson (Old Norse: Eiríkr Þorvaldsson; 950 – c. 1003), known as Erik the Red (Old Norse: Eiríkr hinn rauði)[1] was a Norwegian Viking, remembered in medieval and Icelandic saga sources as having founded the first