James VI and I began the British colonization of the Americas in 1607.
British colonization of the Americas ( including colonization by both the English and the Scots ) began in 1607 in Jamestown , Virginia and reached its peak when colonies had been established throughout the Americas . James VI and I ( 19 June 1566 -- 27 March 1625 ) was King of Scotland as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the Scottish and English crowns on 24 March 1603 until his death . In his reign , the Plantation of Ulster and British colonization of the Americas began .