Eric the Red (950?–1000?), the Norse founder of a settlement in Greenland. He gave the island its name to attract settlers. Eric is said to have fled from his native Norway after being charged with murder. He went to Iceland but about 982 he had to leave this island because of a similar charge. Eric discovered Greenland, and about 986 he brought in settlers from Iceland. The first town was Brattahlid, which was on the southern coast near the present Julianehab. The colony survived about 400 years but then died out, probably because the climate became much colder.