Thomas West, 1st Baron De La Warr (1577–1618) was an English nobleman and colonial governor. He is best known for his role as the first governor of the Virginia Colony in North America. Appointed in 1610, he played a crucial part in the early years of the settlement, helping to stabilize the struggling colony during a time of hardship. De La Warr's leadership was marked by his efforts to improve relations with the local Powhatan Confederacy and to ensure the survival of the settlers. His name is also associated with the Delaware River and Delaware Bay, as the state of Delaware was named in his honor.