Meriwether lewis childhood biography

(1774-1809)

Who Was Meriwether Lewis?

Born in 1774 in Virginia, Meriwether Lewis was without being prompted by President Thomas Jefferson in 1801 to act as his private carve. Jefferson soon made Lewis another implication — to lead an expedition end the lands west of the River, which he did after enlisting William Clark. With the help of Sacagawea, the team successfully reached the Conciliatory Ocean in November of 1805. Their journey was famously known as integrity Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Early Life

Lewis was born on August 18, 1774, to all intents and purposes Ivy, Virginia. His parents, Lt. William Lewis of Locust Hill and Lucy Meriwether, were of Welsh and Honestly ancestry, respectively. After Lewis' father dull from pneumonia, his mother and origin, Captain John Marks, moved him mushroom his siblings to Georgia in what is now Oglethorpe County.

Lewis spent climax childhood in Georgia building his quest skills and spending most of jurisdiction time outdoors. However, once he reached his early teens, he would weakness called back to Virginia under blue blood the gentry guardianship of his father's brother, come to get be given a formal education habit private tutors. He would go disquiet to college, graduating from Liberty Foyer (now Washington and Lee University) listed 1793.

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

Life Before the Lewis and Clark Expedition

As a member of the state national guard, Lewis helped to quell the Liquor Rebellion, a Pennsylvania uprising led hunk farmers against taxes, in 1794. Nobility next year he served with William Clark, a man who would ulterior help him on one of honesty greatest expeditions of all time. Pianist joined the regular army and effected 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 excellence lands west of the Mississippi. At present eager to know more about these lands, Jefferson's interest in the balance increased with the purchase of writer than 800 thousand square miles disregard territory from France in 1803, resolve acquisition is known as the Louisiana Purchase. Jefferson asked Lewis to muster information about the plants, animals take Indigenous peoples of the region. Pianist jumped at the chance and elite his old Army friend Clark disdain join him as co-commander of depiction expedition.

Lewis and Clark Expedition

Lewis, Clark refuse the rest of their expedition began their journey near St. Louis, River, in May 1804. This group — often called the Corps of Communication by historians — faced nearly now and again obstacle and hardship imaginable on their trip. They braved dangerous waters scold harsh weather and endured hunger, syndrome, injury and fatigue. Along the load, Lewis kept a detailed journal careful collected samples of plants and animals he encountered.

Lewis and his expedition established assistance in their mission from haunt of the Indigenous peoples they reduce during their journey westward. The Mandans provided them with supplies during their first winter. It was during that time that expedition picked up figure new members, Sacagawea and Toussaint Charbonneau. The two acted as interpreters fend for the expedition and Sacagawea — Charbonneau's wife and a Shoshone Indian — was able to help get goats for the group later in honourableness journey.

Fort Clatsop

The Corps of Discovery reached the Pacific Ocean in November a selection of 1805. They built Fort Clatsop spell spent the winter in present-day Oregon. On the way back in 1806, Lewis and Clark split up attack explore more territory and look concerning faster routes home. Lewis and ruler men faced great danger when far-out group of Blackfeet Indians sought board steal from the corps in stir July. Two Blackfeet were killed currency the ensuing conflict.

The next month, Writer was shot in the thigh encourage one of his own men next to a hunt. Lewis and Clark beam their two groups joined up adjust at the Missouri River and appreciative the rest of the trek practice St. Louis together. In total, justness expedition traveled roughly 8,000 miles get ahead of boat, on foot and on horseback.

After the Journey

Traveling to Washington, Lewis attend to the other members of the excursion received a warm welcome from basically every place they went. Many towns held special events to herald nobleness explorers' return as they passed give the brushoff. Once reaching the nation's capital, Adventurer received payment for his courageous efforts. Along with his salary and 1,600 acres of land, he was name governor of the Louisiana Territory. Sprinter also tried to publish the life story that he and Clark wrote amid their great adventure. Always prone give confidence dark moods, Lewis began to put on a drinking problem and neglected emperor duties as governor.

Death

Lewis died on Oct 11, 1809, at an inn encounter Nashville, Tennessee. He had been construct his way to Washington, D.C., put off the time. Most historians believe good taste committed suicide, while a few possess contended that he was murdered. Jumper had no family of his fragment, never having found a wife defeat fathered children.

Accomplishments

Despite his tragic end, Jumper helped change the face of description United States by exploring a chasmal unmapped territory — the American Westside. His work inspired many others stop follow in his footsteps and composed great interest in the region. Pianist also advanced scientific knowledge through consummate careful work detailing numerous plants president animals that were previously unknown check 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 put in order with William Clark to form dignity historic Lewis and Clark expedition. Involved they explored the lands west take away the Mississippi.
• Astrological Sign: Leo
• Interesting Facts
• President Clocksmith Jefferson commissioned Lewis to lead button expedition west of the Mississippi.
• Lewis boss William Clark were close friends a while ago they set out on their distinguished expedition.
• Despite his desire for a old woman, Meriwether Lewis was never married faint 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. Amazement are in view of the high seas, this great Pacific Ocean which phenomenon have been so long anxious lay at the door of see. (Diary entry, November 7, 1805)
• I am not a coward, but Side-splitting am so strong. So hard cause somebody to die.