Champlain, Samuel de

1567-1635. Between 1603 and 1635, Champlain made 12 voyages to what was to become Canada, establishing it as a French colony, founding Quebec, and exploring up the St. Lawrence River to the Great Lakes. In Maine history, he is chiefly known for his 1604-1607 voyage, during which he wintered at St. Croix and made the first accurate maps of the New England coast.