Lewis and Clark were American explorers who led the first expedition to the Pacific coast of the US from 1804 to 1806. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark explored newly claimed land called Louisiana, met Sacagawea, and declared sovereignty over the indigenous people of the area. After the expedition, Clark became governor of the Missouri Treasury, while Lewis became governor of Upper Louisiana and died a mysterious death at the age of 35.
Lewis and Clark were American explorers who, from 1804 to 1806, led the first expedition to the Pacific coast of the United States. Meriwether Lewis was a soldier, politician and aide to former US President Thomas Jefferson. William Clark was a soldier, politician, and official Indian agent, meaning he spoke to Native American tribes on behalf of the US government. Lewis and Clark set out to explore newly claimed land called Louisiana, which was owned by Native American tribes and covered about a third of the U.S.
Meriwether Lewis was born in the late 1700s in an eastern region of the United States. Before starting the Lewis and Clark Expedition, he graduated from high school, joined the Virginia militia, and later enlisted in the United States Army. The Army is where he met William Clark who would later join Lewis to explore the Louisiana Purchase, discover a waterway through the country, and declare sovereignty over the indigenous people of the area. Lewis also met Sacagawea, an indigenous woman who acted as an interpreter and later became a famous historical figure due to her claims of her availability during the expedition.
William Clark was the youngest of six children born to a family in the southern region of the United States and, like Lewis, served in the US Army once old enough to enlist. Clark’s militia battled several Native American tribes – some peaceful, some not – during his time in the military, killing dozens of Indians and Canadians. He retired from the Army before his 30th birthday due to poor health and was recruited by Lewis to start an expedition some seven years later. Clark also spent time with Sacagawea, and while Americans generally didn’t think highly of Indians, he had a friendlier relationship with the woman than Lewis.
After the expedition, Clark became governor of the Missouri Treasury. He married twice and had eight children, two of whom were named after Meriwether Lewis and President Thomas Jefferson. He died at the age of 68 after running a government agency that negotiated treaties and maintained relations with Indians for 16 years. His grave is maintained by his descendants and many schools, plants and structures have been named after him.
Once the expedition was over, Lewis became governor of Upper Louisiana. He died a mysterious death at the age of 35 after engaging in political activity. After some confusion at an inn where he was staying, it was discovered that he had been shot. Some, including Clark, believed Lewis’s death was a suicide, while Lewis’s family believed the death was a homicide. Several plants, places, and buildings are named after Lewis in honor of him and the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
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