William de La Warr was an English nobleman and soldier born in 1570. He is best known for his role as the governor of the Virginia Colony in the early 17th century. Appointed in 1610, he aimed to improve the struggling settlement and implemented strict discipline to ensure survival and productivity. De La Warr's leadership was marked by his efforts to establish peace with the local Powhatan Confederacy and to secure resources for the colonists. His tenure was significant in shaping the early years of the English colonization of North America, although he returned to England in 1611 due to health issues.