Facts about Eric the Red

• Eric the Red was a Norse viking, discoverer and colonizer of Greenland.
• Real name: Erik Thorvaldsson.
• The appellation "the Red" most likely refers to his hair color.
• Eric the Red was born in 950 and died in 1003.
• Eric the Red was exiled from Iceland for killing 2 men.
• Eric the Red was the first European in Greenland.
• Eric the Red led a group of colonists from Iceland to Greenland in 985-986.
• Eric the Red and approximately 400 settlers in 14 ships arrived to settle Greenland in 986.
• When Eric the Red came to the new land he called Greenland.
• Eric explained, "people would be attracted to go there if it had a favorable name".
• Eric’s son was Leif Erickson.
• Leif Erikson became the first Viking to explore the land of Vinland (part of North America, probably near modern-day Newfoundland).