David Kirke

For other people named David Kirk, see David Kirk (disambiguation).
An illustration of Kirke (left) accepting the surrender of Samuel Champlain (centre) on 20 July 1629

Sir David Kirke (c. 1597 – c. 1654) was an English privateer and colonial administrator who served as the governor of Newfoundland from 1638 to 1651. He is best known for capturing Québec from the French in 1629 during the Anglo-French War. A favourite of Charles I of England, Kirke's downfall came in 1651 when he was arrested after being accused of witholding taxes collected on behalf of the English government. Kirk was sent back to England, where he reportedly died in prison.[1]

  1. ^ "The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents Volume 5". Archived from the original on 2015-05-29. Retrieved 2015-12-09.