William Dunbar

Biography

William Dunbar, born in 1749 in Adams County, was a naturalist and explorer whose curiosity led him to study the flora, fauna, and geography of the western lands, helping to map the vast region beyond the Appalachians. His scientific observations enriched the understanding of America’s interior and supported the expansion of knowledge during the early republic.

Dunbar’s meticulous notes and reports provided valuable insight to scholars, and his spirit of inquiry personified the era’s thirst for discovery.