Who was the first explorer to represent England in the colonization of North America?

John Cabot is recognized as the first explorer to represent England in the colonization of North America. He was an Italian navigator and explorer who undertook his expedition under the English flag in 1497. Cabot's voyage is significant because it marked England's first exploration of the North American continent. He is credited with reaching what is believed to be the coast of Newfoundland, paving the way for later English claims in the New World. His explorations, while not resulting in immediate colonization, laid the foundation for England's future endeavors across the Atlantic.

In contrast, other figures like Sir Francis Drake, Henry Hudson, and Walter Raleigh had their own important roles in later English exploration and colonization efforts, but they came after Cabot. Drake was known for his circumnavigation of the globe and privateering, Hudson is remembered for his explorations of the Hudson River and Bay under Dutch and later English sponsorship, and Raleigh is noted for his attempts to establish a colony in Virginia, but all of these events occurred after Cabot's initial voyages in the late 15th century.