Episode 274: Alan Gallay, Walter Ralegh, Architect of Empire

by Liz CovartMay 19, 2020

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What do we know about how and why England came to establish its first permanent colony at Jamestown? And what do we know about the English colony that came before it, the Colony of Roanoke?

Alan Gallay, Lyndon B. Johnson chair of United States History at Texas Christian University and author of Walter Ralegh: Architect of Empire, leads us on exploration of the life and work of Sir Walter Ralegh, the man who crafted the blueprint for England’s colonization plans in the Americas.

About the Show

Ben Franklin’s World is a podcast about early American history.

It is a show for people who love history and for those who want to know more about the historical people and events that have impacted and shaped our present-day world.

Each episode features a conversation with a historian who helps us shed light on important people and events in early American history.

Ben Franklin’s World is a production of the Omohundro Institute.

Episode Summary

Alan Gallay, Lyndon B. Johnson chair of United States History at Texas Christian University and author of Walter Ralegh: Architect of Empire, joins us to explore the life and work of Sir Walter Ralegh, the man who created the blueprint for England’s colonization plans in the Americas.

During our exploration of Walter Ralegh’s life, Alan reveals who Walter Ralegh was and details about his life as an alchemist, soldier, and colonizer; Information about how Ralegh became acquainted with Queen Elizabeth I; And, Ralegh’s efforts to colonize Virginia.

What You’ll Discover

Sir Walter Ralegh
Why Ralegh interests Alan
Walter Ralegh’s childhood and family
Alchemy and colonization
Atlantic explorations for trade routes and science
How Walter Ralegh and Queen Elizabeth I became acquainted
Ralegh’s interest in colonizing North America
Ralegh’s 10 years of planning to colonize the Americas for the English
Native Americans in London and how they informed English colonization plans
Astronomer Thomas Harriot’s assistance in English colonization plans
Harriot’s work on Virginia and Native American History
The Roanoke Colony
What happened to the settlers of the Lost Roanoke Colony
England’s colonization of Ireland and Ralegh’s involvement
Ralegh’s imprisonment in the Tower of London
Ralegh’s treason and execution
What Walter Ralegh’s life can tell us about the European project to colonize the Americas

Links to People, Places, and Publications

Sponsor Links

Production of this episode was made possible by a grant from the Roller-Bottimore Foundation of Richmond, Virginia.

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Time Warp Question

In your opinion, what might have happened if Walter Ralegh had not married Elizabeth “Bess” Throckmorton? If Ralegh had not married one of Queen Elizabeth’s ladies-in-waiting and thereby greatly upset Queen Elizabeth I, how might things have turned out differently for Walter Ralegh?