Leif Erikson

A viking explorer who led what was probably the first European expedition to North America, Leif Erikson followed in his father s footsteps (Erik the Red) to become the leader of the first settlement in Greenland after his father s death. Born in Iceland, Leif and his family sailed to southern Greenland about 985 where his father founded a settlement near present-day Julianehab. Here, Erikson preached Christianity. His life was recorded in long Icelandic stories called sagas. From these sagas we can learn about the life and explorations of this Norse explorer. You, too, can follow his adventures herein.