Leif Erikson, also known as Leif the Lucky, was a famous Norse Explorer and the son of Erik the Red. He was often described as a very wise, handsome and considerate man who was widely respected. According to the legends, he was the first European to reach the North American continent, four centuries before Christopher Columbus did. During one of his trips from Norway to Greenland, he was blown off course and arrived in North America. He explored the unknown area, giving it the name “Vinland”, due to the large amount of grapes that grew there. After spending the winter in Vinland, he went back to Greenland and never returned.