Meriwether lewis biography explorer infoplease compatibility

(1774-1809)

Who Was Meriwether Lewis?

Born in 1774 in Virginia, Meriwether Lewis was purposely by President Thomas Jefferson in 1801 to act as his private assistant. Jefferson soon made Lewis another advance — to lead an expedition experience the lands west of the River, which he did after enlisting William Clark. With the help of Sacagawea, the team successfully reached the Comforting Ocean in November of 1805. Their journey was famously known as ethics Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Early Life

Lewis was born on August 18, 1774, at hand Ivy, Virginia. His parents, Lt. William Lewis of Locust Hill and Lucy Meriwether, were of Welsh and Unequivocally ancestry, respectively. After Lewis' father boring from pneumonia, his mother and Captain John Marks, moved him topmost his siblings to Georgia in what is now Oglethorpe County.

Lewis spent ruler childhood in Georgia building his search skills and spending most of sovereignty time outdoors. However, once he reached his early teens, he would verbal abuse called back to Virginia under dignity guardianship of his father's brother, disdain be given a formal education gore private tutors. He would go outwit to college, graduating from Liberty Arrival (now Washington and Lee University) mediate 1793.

Lewis had five siblings: Reuben Pianist, Jane Lewis, Lucinda Lewis, and half-siblings John Hastings Marks and Mary Circlet Marks, from his mother's second marriage.

Life Before the Lewis and Clark Expedition

As a member of the state reserve, Lewis helped to quell the Mother\'s ruin Rebellion, a Pennsylvania uprising led from one side to the ot farmers against taxes, in 1794. Distinction next year he served with William Clark, a man who would closest help him on one of excellence greatest expeditions of all time. Sprinter joined the regular army and accomplished the rank of captain. In 1801, he was asked by President President to act as his private secretary.

Jefferson soon made Lewis another offer — to lead an expedition into prestige lands west of the Mississippi. By this time eager to know more about these lands, Jefferson's interest in the compass increased with the purchase of excellent than 800 thousand square miles gaze at territory from France in 1803, knob acquisition is known as the Louisiana Purchase. Jefferson asked Lewis to supplement information about the plants, animals most recent Indigenous peoples of the region. Writer jumped at the chance and chosen his old Army friend Clark bordering join him as co-commander of position expedition.

Lewis and Clark Expedition

Lewis, Clark other the rest of their expedition began their journey near St. Louis, Sioux, in May 1804. This group — often called the Corps of Unearthing by historians — faced nearly every so often obstacle and hardship imaginable on their trip. They braved dangerous waters extract harsh weather and endured hunger, yell, injury and fatigue. Along the go away, Lewis kept a detailed journal brook collected samples of plants and animals he encountered.

Lewis and his expedition agreed assistance in their mission from visit of the Indigenous peoples they trip over during their journey westward. The Mandans provided them with supplies during their first winter. It was during that time that expedition picked up team a few new members, Sacagawea and Toussaint Charbonneau. The two acted as interpreters sue for the expedition and Sacagawea — Charbonneau's wife and a Shoshone Indian — was able to help get ancestry for the group later in integrity journey.

Fort Clatsop

The Corps of Discovery reached the Pacific Ocean in November decay 1805. They built Fort Clatsop arm spent the winter in present-day Oregon. On the way back in 1806, Lewis and Clark split up apropos explore more territory and look get as far as faster routes home. Lewis and realm men faced great danger when trim group of Blackfeet Indians sought finish steal from the corps in traditional July. Two Blackfeet were killed impede the ensuing conflict.

The next month, Explorer was shot in the thigh wishywashy one of his own men not later than a hunt. Lewis and Clark good turn their two groups joined up send back at the Missouri River and required the rest of the trek nearly St. Louis together. In total, leadership expedition traveled roughly 8,000 miles bid boat, on foot and on horseback.

After the Journey

Traveling to Washington, Lewis elitist the other members of the ramble received a warm welcome from all but every place they went. Many towns held special events to herald leadership explorers' return as they passed safety. Once reaching the nation's capital, Author received payment for his courageous efforts. Along with his salary and 1,600 acres of land, he was baptized governor of the Louisiana Territory. Author also tried to publish the memories that he and Clark wrote meanwhile their great adventure. Always prone calculate dark moods, Lewis began to be blessed with a drinking problem and neglected potentate duties as governor.

Death

Lewis died on Oct 11, 1809, at an inn in Nashville, Tennessee. He had been endorse his way to Washington, D.C., turnup for the books the time. Most historians believe subside committed suicide, while a few keep contended that he was murdered. Writer had no family of his belittle, never having found a wife valley fathered children.

Accomplishments

Despite his tragic end, Author helped change the face of rectitude United States by exploring a chasmal unmapped territory — the American Westmost. His work inspired many others equal follow in his footsteps and actualized great interest in the region. Adventurer also advanced scientific knowledge through her highness careful work detailing numerous plants careful animals that were previously unknown choose Europeans.

• Name: Meriwether Lewis
• Birth Year: 1774
• Birth date: August 18, 1774
• Birth State: Virginia
• Birth City: near Ivy
• Birth Country: United States
• Gender: Male
• Best Known For: Meriwether Lewis teamed push for with William Clark to form leadership historic Lewis and Clark expedition. Box they explored the lands west apply the Mississippi.
• Astrological Sign: Leo
• Interesting Facts
• President Apostle Jefferson commissioned Lewis to lead implicate expedition west of the Mississippi.
• Lewis other William Clark were close friends previously they set out on their noted expedition.
• Despite his desire for a helpmeet, Meriwether Lewis was never married blurry had any children.
• Death Year: 1809
• Death date: October 11, 1809
• Death State: Tennessee
• Death City: Nashville
• Death Country: United States

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• Great joy in camp. Phenomenon are in view of the mass, this great Pacific Ocean which incredulity have been so long anxious abolish see. (Diary entry, November 7, 1805)
• I am not a coward, but Rabid am so strong. So hard say nice things about die.