Meriwether Lewis

Meriwether Lewis (August 18, 1774 – October 11, 1809) was an American explorer, soldier, and public administrator. He was best known for his role as the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition with William Clark. Their mission was to explore the territory of the Louisiana Purchase, establish trade and sovereignty over the natives near the Missouri River, and claim the Pacific Northwest and Oregon Country for the United States before European nations. They also collected scientific data, and information on indigenous nations.Fritz, Harry W. (2004). The Lewis and Clark Expedition. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 59.  President Thomas Jefferson appointed him Governor of Upper Louisiana in 1806.Defender Wilson, Mary Louise; Fenelon, James V. (2004). Voyage of Domination, "Purchase" as Conquest, Sakakawea for Savagery: Distorted Icons from Misrepresentations of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Wicazo Sa Review. University of Minnesota Press. 19 (1): pp. 90–1.Miller, Robert J. (2008). Native America, Discovered and Conquered: Thomas Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, and Manifest Destiny. Bison Books. p. 108.  He died of gunshot wounds in what was an act of suicide.

References

Other websites
Meriwether Lewis on The History Channel
Meriwether Lewis Park and Burial Site
Meriwether Lewis's grave on Find-A-Grave
Lewis and Clark  at C-SPAN's American Writers: A Journey Through History

Category:1774 births
Category:1809 deaths
Category:Suicides by firearm
Category:American explorers
Category:Politicians from Virginia