Meriwether Lewis

Biography

Meriwether Lewis (1774-1809) was a pioneering explorer who played a crucial role in American westward expansion. As the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, he conducted groundbreaking surveys of the newly acquired Louisiana Territory, documenting the geography, flora, fauna, and indigenous peoples of the vast western frontier.

Lewis's contributions to scientific knowledge and geographical understanding were instrumental in shaping the nation's expansion. His detailed journals and specimens provided invaluable information that guided subsequent settlement and development of the American West, cementing his legacy as one of the nation's most important explorers.