Ferdinando Gorges

Ferdinando Gorges
Arms of Gorges (modern): Lozengy or and azure, a chevron gules. These arms resulted from the famous 1347 heraldry case of Warbelton v Gorges
2nd colonial governor of Maine
In office 1639 – 24 May 1647
Preceded by	William Gorges
Succeeded by	Thomas Gorges
Personal details
Born	c. 1565-1568 Clerkenwell, Middlesex, England
Died	(1647-05-24)24 May 1647 (aged 78–82) Ashton Phillips, Somerset, England
Spouse(s)	Ann Bell (died 1620); 4 children. Mary Fulford {Mrs Achims (a widow)} Elizabeth Gorges, {Mrs Courteney (a widow)} Elizabeth Gorges {Lady Smyth (a widow)}
Profession	Governor, entrepreneur and founder of the Province of Maine
Signature

Sir Ferdinando Gorges (c. 1565-1568 – 24 May 1647) was a naval and military commander and governor of the important port of Plymouth in England. He was involved in Essex's Rebellion against the Queen, but escaped punishment by testifying against the main conspirators. His early involvement in English trade with and settlement of North America as well as his efforts in founding the Province of Maine in 1622 earned him the title of the "Father of English Colonization in North America,"^[1] even though Gorges himself never set foot in the New World.