Smith, John (1580–1631)

English explorer John Smith was captured during an expedition through Indian territory but saved by Pocahontas, daughter of Chief Powhatan, who secured his release.

The English captain and adventurer John Smith, c. 1624, who led an expedition to, and produced important maps of, the coastline of New England in North America. Having set up one of the first English settlements in Virginia, he was captured by Indians and claimed to have been saved from certain death by the chief's daughter, Pocahontas.

English colonist. After an adventurous early life he took part in the colonization of Virginia, acting as president of the North American colony 1608–09. He explored New England in 1614, which he named, and published pamphlets on America and an autobiography. His trade with the Indians may have kept the colonists alive in the early years.

During an expedition among the American Indians he was captured, and his life is said to have been saved by the intervention of the chief's daughter Pocahontas.

Smith, John (1938–1994)

British Labour politician, party leader 1992–94, born on the Scottish island of Islay. He was trade and industry secretary 1978–79 and from 1979 held various shadow cabinet posts, culminating in that of shadow chancellor 1987–92. When Neil Kinnock resigned the leadership after losing the 1992 general election, Smith was readily elected as his successor. During his two years as leader, building on Kinnock's efforts, he drew together the two wings of the Labour Party to make it a highly electable proposition. He won the trust and support of colleagues of all shades of opinion, and built a formidable front-bench team. His sudden death from a heart attack shocked British politicians of all parties.

The son of a primary-school headteacher, Smith graduated in history at Glasgow University. He turned to law and became an advocate at the Scottish bar in 1967 and QC in 1983. However, forsaking a promising legal career for politics, he entered the House of Commons in 1970. His talents were recognized by prime ministers Harold Wilson and James Callaghan and, after holding several junior posts, he became trade and industry secretary in 1978. During Labour's years of opposition from 1979 he was a key front-bench member. Positioned at the centre-right of the party, as shadow chancellor he advocated a cautious, prudent economic programme funded by tax increases aimed at high earners. As leader of the opposition, he won a reputation as a man of transparent honesty and a formidable parliamentarian.