Seeking Western Waters: The Lewis and Clark Trail from the Rockies to the Pacific

Meriwether Lewis was an American explorer, soldier, and public administrator, best known for his role as the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition also known as the Corps of Discovery, 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 territory for the United States before European nations. They also collected scientific data, and information on indigenous nations. President Thomas Jefferson appointed him Governor of Upper Louisiana in 1806. Meriwether Lewis was born in Albemarle County, Virginia, in the present-day community of Ivy. He was the son of Lt. William Lewis of Locust Hill , who was of Welsh ancestry, and Lucy Meriwether , daughter of Thomas Meriwether and Elizabeth Thornton who were both of English ancestry. . After his father died of pneumonia, he moved with his mother and stepfather Captain John Marks to Georgia in May 1780.
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