Raleigh (or Ralegh), Sir Walter. Statesman, navigator, and author. Born near Budleigh in 1552. Studied at Oriel College, Oxford. Fought in support of the Protestants in France in 1569. Distinguished himself against in Ireland, 1580-81. Rose rapidly in Elizabeth's favor. In 1584 dispatched an expedition to America which discovered Virginia, so named in honor of the queen. Took part in the repulse of the Spanish Armada in 1588. In 1595 went to Guiana in search of gold, and sailed some distance up the Orinoco. Held a command in the attack on Cadiz in 1596. After the accession of James I, he was accused of complicity in the plot to raise Arabella Stuart to the throne, and was imprisoned in the Tower for 13 years (1603-16), during which he wrote his "History of the World." In 1616, he was permitted to lead an expedition to Guiana against the Spaniards, but his pardon was made dependent on his success and, as the attempt was a failure, he was executed on his return in 1618.

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