Mariner and colonist. His family name appears to have originally been Sicklemore, and why he chose to call himself Ratcliffe remains a riddle. He was captain of the 'Discovery', one of three ships that sailed to found the Jamestown Settlement in Virginia, and later became the second president of the colony. He was killed by the Pamunkey native Americans when he was going to trade with them in 1609.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
John Ratcliffe
This voyage took place 16 years before the Mayflower. The memorial has a his...
Archaeologist. Born at 13 Southwold Road, Hackney. He was one of the first modern archaeologists, who excavated in a methodical way, keeping careful records, and using them to reconstruct ancient l...
Naval officer and arctic explorer.  Born Bath.  The Canadian Encyclopedia says "He contributed much to the eventual discovery of the Northwest Passage and the North Pole."  Lieut-Governor of Greenw...
Founder and first governor of Australia. Born in the ward of Bread Street. Entered the Royal Navy 1753. In 1787 he led a fleet of 11 ships, with a complement of four companies of marines as well a...
Chief Commissioner in the St John Ambulance Brigade, No. 1 District Metropolitan Corps, 1898-1911. Knight Justice in the Order of St John. Inspector-General Belgrave Ninnis was a Royal Navy surgeo...
Person, Armed Forces, Emergency Services, Exploring, Medicine
Role on the lost expedition: Royal marine on SS Erebus. See John Franklin.
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