Portal:Iceland/Selected biography/7
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Erik the Red (950–c. 1003) founded the first Nordic settlement in Greenland. Born in the Jæren district of Rogaland, Norway as the son of Þorvaldr Ásvaldsson (Thorvald Asvaldsson), he therefore also appears, patronymically, as Erik Thorvaldsson (or as Eiríkr Þorvaldsson). The appellation the Red most likely refers to his hair color. Erik the Red had to flee Norway because of "some killings", as The Saga of Eric the Red recounts. He and his family settled in Iceland. The Icelanders later exiled Erik for several murders around the year 982.
