Benjamin Bonneville

Biography

Benjamin Bonneville (1796–1876) was a French-born officer in the United States Army who became a notable fur trader and explorer of the American West. He conducted significant expeditions throughout the Rocky Mountains and beyond, documenting the geography and resources of unexplored territories. His adventures and discoveries contributed valuable knowledge to American understanding of the western frontier.

Bonneville balanced his military career with commercial ventures in the fur trade, becoming a respected figure in western exploration. His expeditions and reports helped open routes for future settlement and commerce across the continent.