Erik the Red was a Norse explorer known for founding the first Norse settlement in Greenland. Born in Norway around 950 AD, he was exiled from Iceland for committing murder. Seeking new land, he sailed west and discovered Greenland, which he named to attract settlers. Erik's son, Leif Erikson, later became famous for his voyages to North America. Erik's settlement in Greenland thrived for several centuries, contributing to the Norse exploration of the North Atlantic. His legacy is significant in the history of Viking exploration and settlement.