Aside from John White's efforts to colonize Roanoke Island, little is known about his life.  There is even debate about his appearance.  Some say he had brown hair, while others say he was blonde.  However, it is certain that he was known for having a great mustache.  He was was also well know for his art.  White originally was commissioned to record, by means of painting, life in the New World on the second of Raleigh's voyages in 1585.  They are considered to be the first and most informative paintings of Native Americans.  His paintings pleased Queen Elizabeth and helped Raleigh to launch his third voyage, this time to establish a permanent colony.  Raleigh, in return made John White governor of his new colony.  He was also the grandfather of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in the New World.  When it became apparent that the colonists needed more supplies, they voted for White to return to England.  He was suppose to return immediately, however, due to a conflict with Spain, White was unable to return for three years.  When he finally returned, he found the colony deserted.  However, there were two clues, the letters CRO carved on a tree, and the word "CROATOAN" carved onto a fence post.  White was sure that his family and the rest of the colonists had relocated to the tribe of the friendly Croatoan Indians.  Unfortunately, due to bad weather, White was only able to look for the lost colonists for a day before returning to England.  He never heard from his family again and he too faded into oblivion. 

For more information on John White's paintings visit http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/Brave-New-World.html?c=y&page=1