Why is Meriwether Lewis famous?
Meriwether Lewis (August 18, 1774 – October 11, 1809) was an American explorer, soldier, politician, and public administrator, best known for his role as the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, also known as the Corps of Discovery, with William Clark.
How did Lewis and Clark become famous?
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark are best known for their expedition from the Mississippi River to the West Coast and back. The expedition, called the Corps of Discovery, was President Thomas Jefferson’s visionary project to explore the American West. He also served in the military, where he met Clark.
How old was Meriwether Lewis when they set out in 1801?
By age 26 he had risen to the rank of captain in the First U.S. Infantry Regiment. Late in the winter of 1801, 27-year-old Lewis was summoned by Thomas Jefferson, the newly-elected third president of the United States, to serve as his personal secretary and aide.
How old was Meriweather Lewis when he died?
Captain Meriwether Lewis was only 35 when he died of gunshot wounds to the head and abdomen on October 10, 1809.
Who was the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition?
Meriwether Lewis. Meriwether Lewis, (born Aug. 18, 1774, near Charlottesville, Va. [U.S.]—died Oct. 11, 1809, near Nashville, Tenn., U.S.), American explorer, who with William Clark led the Lewis and Clark Expedition through the uncharted American interior to the Pacific Northwest in 1804–06.
Who was the first person to teach Lewis navigation?
Jefferson was the first person who taught him about navigation. He later went to Philadelphia to learn from skilled cartographers and astronomers. Lewis chose Clark as his companion to share command with him in the expedition.
Where did John Lewis spend most of his childhood?
Lewis spent his childhood in Georgia building his hunting skills and spending most of his time outdoors. However, once he reached his early teens, he would be called back to Virginia under the guardianship of his father’s brother, to be given a formal education through private tutors.