Warwick << WAWR ihk >>, Earl of (1587-1658), was the title held by an English nobleman who became a colonial administrator in North America. Warwick’s given and family name was Robert Rich. He served as a member of the Virginia Company and of the Council of the New England Company. He helped found the colonies of Plymouth (Massachusetts), Connecticut, Virginia, and Rhode Island.
Warwick’s ships the Treasurer and the White Lion engaged in privateering against the Spaniards. Privateers were privately owned vessels hired by a government to attack enemy ships. In 1619, Warwick’s two ships brought some of the first Black Africans to Virginia. The Africans had been captured in Africa and placed on a Portuguese ship. Warwick’s warships, working as privateers for the Dutch, captured the Portuguese ship. Its captives were transferred to Warwick’s ships and sold as indentured servants at auction in Jamestown. In 1643 Warwick was appointed Lord High Admiral and Governor-in-Chief of all the English royal colonies.
Warwick was born in June 1587. He died on April 19, 1658.
