Who started the british empire?

Answer 1

Officially such a thing as the British empire never existed. It was just a term given to the various collection of areas Britain dominated.

The only actual 'real' empire Britain got involved in was India, the Indian Empire being founded in 1858.

The first English colonies and so the British empire as it is commonly known were founded in the late 16th/early 17th century but most of these early attempts failed. The first permanent and lasting colony was Jamestown in 1607. So that's as good a date as any....

However these were just English colonies, Britain itself wasn't founded until 1707.

So there's your answer there. 1707.

Answer 2

If any one person started the British Empire, it was likely Henry VII and his daughter Elizabeth I. They began having colonies claimed as more ships began leaving their harbors.