capt. christopher levett (15 april 1586 – 1630) was an english writer, explorer and naval captain, born at york, england. he explored the coast of new england and secured a grant from the king to settle present-day portland, maine, the first european to do so. levett left behind a group of settlers at his maine plantation in casco bay, but they were never heard from again. their fate is unknown. as a member of the plymouth council for new england, levett was named the governor of plymouth in 1623 and a close adviser to capt. robert gorges in his attempt to found an early english colony at weymouth, massachusetts, which also failed. levett was also named an early governor of virginia in 1628, according to parliamentary records at whitehall.