Final answer:
Captain John Smith was most beneficial to the growth of a colony due to his resourcefulness and interactions with Native Americans, while corrupt governors were least beneficial.
Step-by-step explanation:
In evaluating who was most and least beneficial to the growth of a colony, Captain John Smith stands out. His interactions with the Native Americans and the self-promotion through his writings significantly enhanced the English understanding of the New World. Despite being a commoner and regarded as troublesome by some, Smith's resourcefulness in dire situations such as starvation proved advantageous. On the other hand, governors who used their power inappropriately or indulged in contentious behavior, like Lord Cornbury's cross-dressing scandal, were least beneficial, undermining colonial growth. Their ineffective governance and misuse of power often led to conflicts with colonial assemblies and could impede the colony's advancement.