Notes

Meriwether Lewis was born August 18, 1774 at the Lewis family estate, Locust Hill, in Albemarle County, VA. His family boasted many decorated soldiers, including his father, William Lewis. His mother, Lucy Meriwether was his father's cousin. She was also a skilled cook and herbalist whose generous and charismatic nature was known throughout the region. The Lewis and Meriwether families were among the first to settle in the region, and as such, had a long standing connection to and deep friendship with the Jeffersons, among other established Virginia families. Thomas Jefferson knew Meriwether Lewis for the latter's entire life.

William Lewis died of pneumonia in 1779 after crossing a freezing river on leave from the military so he could visit his family. Shortly afterwards, Lucy Lewis married a retired officer, Captain John Marks, in May of 1780. John Marks moved the entire family to Broad River Valley, Georgia, settling in the new Goosepond Community created by General George Mathews. During his time in Georgia, Lewis enhanced his skills as a hunter and outdoorsman. He would often venture out in the middle of the night in the dead of winter with only his dogs to go hunting, at eight years of age. He became interested in natural history, which would develop into a lifelong passion. His mother taught him how to gather wild herbs for medicinal purposes. It was also in Broad River that Lewis first dealt with a native Indian group. The Cherokee Indians lived in antagonistic proximity to the white settlers, but Lewis seems to have been a champion for the Cherokee amongst his own people. Gov. George Gilmer of Georgia described young Meriwether as "having inherited the energy, courage, activity, and good understanding of his mother."

The family grew while in Broad River when Lucy Marks gave birth to Lewis's half-brother and sister, John Hastings Marks in 1785 and Mary Garland Marks in 1788. Meriwether Lewis stayed in Georgia only a short time, he chose to return to Virginia sometime between the ages of 12 and 14 to manage Locust Hill and undergo a formal education.

Lewis attended school taught by Parsons William Douglas and Matthew Maury. (Douglas also tutored future presidents Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe.) Following his studies with Maury, Lewis studied with Dr. Charles Everitt. However, he and Everitt developed some animosity towards each other, and he transferred to the Rev. James Waddell in 1790. Lewis finished his formal education with Waddell. He briefly considered attending the College of William and Mary, but opted to remain in Albemarle to maintain Locust Hill instead.

During the early years of his management, Lewis increased the size of Locust Hill and carefully observed all of the flora and fauna that grew on his land. In 1792 John Marks died and Lewis's mother and half siblings returned to Virginia as well.

In August 1794 in an effort to quell the Whiskey Rebellion President Washington mobilized 13,000 militiamen from Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Lewis was among those that enlisted. Though the revolt was quickly suppressed, he decided to remain with a volunteer army under the command of General Daniel Morgan which patrolled Pittsburgh following the revolt. In August of 1795 Lewis joined the forces of General "Mad" Anthony Wayne at Fallen Timbers in time for the Treaty of Greenville, which accorded peace between the United States and several Indian tribes which had been attacking settlers in the western outreaches of the country. He served alongside another soldier with whom he would become well acquainted, William Clark. In late 1795 Lewis was reassigned to the Chosen Rifle Company, which was commanded by Clark. The two became friends and developed a deep respect for each other. Unfortunately, Clark was forced to resign his commission soon after Lewis's arrival due to familial and health related problems. On December 5, 1800 Meriwether Lewis was promoted to the rank of captain.

In February of the following year he was invited by his longtime acquaintance and newly elected president Thomas Jefferson to become his private secretary and assistant. During his first few months in office, Jefferson developed his plan for studying the western outreaches of the American continent, and exploring new species of interest to botanists and naturalists. Jefferson discussed this idea with Lewis, and Lewis promptly volunteered to lead the proposed expedition. Jefferson sent Lewis to study natural history, botany, astronomy, and other disciplines with some of the leaders in each respective field at the time to prepare Lewis for the journey and give him a background on which to base the scientific observations which Jefferson desired the expedition to record. Jefferson proposed the expedition in a somewhat clandestine message to Congress in January, 1803, and it was approved. Jefferson left the task of recruiting men to accompany the exploration to Lewis and allowed him to invite William Clark to be his co-captain.

Lewis wrote Clark, informing him of the expedition and invited him to become his partner. Due to the inefficiency of the post at the time, Clark's response was delayed. Lewis offered the position to another man, Moses Hooks, should Clark decline. A few days later, Clark's elated acceptance of the offer arrived - Lewis rescinded the offer to Hooks. The expedition began on May 14, 1804, and returned in the late summer of 1806.

In 1807, Lewis returned to Washington for several events celebrating the success of the expedition, also recognizing Lewis's personal merit. He intended at that time to start organizing his journal and field notes for publication. He disseminated his celestial observations and plant and animal specimens that the party had brought back to various scientists for further examination, analysis, and preservation. President Jefferson appointed him Governor of Louisiana, a territory the United States had acquired shortly before the expedition departed in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. In 1809, as Lewis traveled from New Orleans to Washington to see Jefferson and apprise him of his progress on publishing the journals, Lewis died. There is some controversy over whether the governor committed suicide, or whether he was murdered as part of some conspiracy, but either way, on 18 October 1809, Meriwether Lewis was found dead of several gunshot wounds in Grinder's Inn, in Natchez Trace, Tennesee.Meriwether Lewis was born August 18, 1774 at the Lewis family estate, Locust Hill, in Albemarle County, VA. His family boasted many decorated soldiers, including his father, William Lewis. His mother, Lucy Meriwether was his father's cousin. She was also a skilled cook and herbalist whose generous and charismatic nature was known throughout the region. The Lewis and Meriwether families were among the first to settle in the region, and as such, had a long standing connection to and deep friendship with the Jeffersons, among other established Virginia families. Thomas Jefferson knew Meriwether Lewis for the latter's entire life.

William Lewis died of pneumonia in 1779 after crossing a freezing river on leave from the military so he could visit his family. Shortly afterwards, Lucy Lewis married a retired officer, Captain John Marks, in May of 1780. John Marks moved the entire family to Broad River Valley, Georgia, settling in the new Goosepond Community created by General George Mathews. During his time in Georgia, Lewis enhanced his skills as a hunter and outdoorsman. He would often venture out in the middle of the night in the dead of winter with only his dogs to go hunting, at eight years of age. He became interested in natural history, which would develop into a lifelong passion. His mother taught him how to gather wild herbs for medicinal purposes. It was also in Broad River that Lewis first dealt with a native Indian group. The Cherokee Indians lived in antagonistic proximity to the white settlers, but Lewis seems to have been a champion for the Cherokee amongst his own people. Gov. George Gilmer of Georgia described young Meriwether as "having inherited the energy, courage, activity, and good understanding of his mother."

The family grew while in Broad River when Lucy Marks gave birth to Lewis's half-brother and sister, John Hastings Marks in 1785 and Mary Garland Marks in 1788. Meriwether Lewis stayed in Georgia only a short time, he chose to return to Virginia sometime between the ages of 12 and 14 to manage Locust Hill and undergo a formal education.

Lewis attended school taught by Parsons William Douglas and Matthew Maury. (Douglas also tutored future presidents Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe.) Following his studies with Maury, Lewis studied with Dr. Charles Everitt. However, he and Everitt developed some animosity towards each other, and he transferred to the Rev. James Waddell in 1790. Lewis finished his formal education with Waddell. He briefly considered attending the College of William and Mary, but opted to remain in Albemarle to maintain Locust Hill instead.

During the early years of his management, Lewis increased the size of Locust Hill and carefully observed all of the flora and fauna that grew on his land. In 1792 John Marks died and Lewis's mother and half siblings returned to Virginia as well.

In August 1794 in an effort to quell the Whiskey Rebellion President Washington mobilized 13,000 militiamen from Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Lewis was among those that enlisted. Though the revolt was quickly suppressed, he decided to remain with a volunteer army under the command of General Daniel Morgan which patrolled Pittsburgh following the revolt. In August of 1795 Lewis joined the forces of General "Mad" Anthony Wayne at Fallen Timbers in time for the Treaty of Greenville, which accorded peace between the United States and several Indian tribes which had been attacking settlers in the western outreaches of the country. He served alongside another soldier with whom he would become well acquainted, William Clark. In late 1795 Lewis was reassigned to the Chosen Rifle Company, which was commanded by Clark. The two became friends and developed a deep respect for each other. Unfortunately, Clark was forced to resign his commission soon after Lewis's arrival due to familial and health related problems. On December 5, 1800 Meriwether Lewis was promoted to the rank of captain.

In February of the following year he was invited by his longtime acquaintance and newly elected president Thomas Jefferson to become his private secretary and assistant. During his first few months in office, Jefferson developed his plan for studying the western outreaches of the American continent, and exploring new species of interest to botanists and naturalists. Jefferson discussed this idea with Lewis, and Lewis promptly volunteered to lead the proposed expedition. Jefferson sent Lewis to study natural history, botany, astronomy, and other disciplines with some of the leaders in each respective field at the time to prepare Lewis for the journey and give him a background on which to base the scientific observations which Jefferson desired the expedition to record. Jefferson proposed the expedition in a somewhat clandestine message to Congress in January, 1803, and it was approved. Jefferson left the task of recruiting men to accompany the exploration to Lewis and allowed him to invite William Clark to be his co-captain.

Lewis wrote Clark, informing him of the expedition and invited him to become his partner. Due to the inefficiency of the post at the time, Clark's response was delayed. Lewis offered the position to another man, Moses Hooks, should Clark decline. A few days later, Clark's elated acceptance of the offer arrived - Lewis rescinded the offer to Hooks. The expedition began on May 14, 1804, and returned in the late summer of 1806.

In 1807, Lewis returned to Washington for several events celebrating the success of the expedition, also recognizing Lewis's personal merit. He intended at that time to start organizing his journal and field notes for publication. He disseminated his celestial observations and plant and animal specimens that the party had brought back to various scientists for further examination, analysis, and preservation. President Jefferson appointed him Governor of Louisiana, a territory the United States had acquired shortly before the expedition departed in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. In 1809, as Lewis traveled from New Orleans to Washington to see Jefferson and apprise him of his progress on publishing the journals, Lewis died. There is some controversy over whether the governor committed suicide, or whether he was murdered as part of some conspiracy, but either way, on 18 October 1809, Meriwether Lewis was found dead of several gunshot wounds in Grinder's Inn, in Natchez Trace, Tennesee.Meriwether Lewis was born August 18, 1774 at the Lewis family estate, Locust Hill, in Albemarle County, VA. His family boasted many decorated soldiers, including his father, William Lewis. His mother, Lucy Meriwether was his father's cousin. She was also a skilled cook and herbalist whose generous and charismatic nature was known throughout the region. The Lewis and Meriwether families were among the first to settle in the region, and as such, had a long standing connection to and deep friendship with the Jeffersons, among other established Virginia families. Thomas Jefferson knew Meriwether Lewis for the latter's entire life.

William Lewis died of pneumonia in 1779 after crossing a freezing river on leave from the military so he could visit his family. Shortly afterwards, Lucy Lewis married a retired officer, Captain John Marks, in May of 1780. John Marks moved the entire family to Broad River Valley, Georgia, settling in the new Goosepond Community created by General George Mathews. During his time in Georgia, Lewis enhanced his skills as a hunter and outdoorsman. He would often venture out in the middle of the night in the dead of winter with only his dogs to go hunting, at eight years of age. He became interested in natural history, which would develop into a lifelong passion. His mother taught him how to gather wild herbs for medicinal purposes. It was also in Broad River that Lewis first dealt with a native Indian group. The Cherokee Indians lived in antagonistic proximity to the white settlers, but Lewis seems to have been a champion for the Cherokee amongst his own people. Gov. George Gilmer of Georgia described young Meriwether as "having inherited the energy, courage, activity, and good understanding of his mother."

The family grew while in Broad River when Lucy Marks gave birth to Lewis's half-brother and sister, John Hastings Marks in 1785 and Mary Garland Marks in 1788. Meriwether Lewis stayed in Georgia only a short time, he chose to return to Virginia sometime between the ages of 12 and 14 to manage Locust Hill and undergo a formal education.

Lewis attended school taught by Parsons William Douglas and Matthew Maury. (Douglas also tutored future presidents Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe.) Following his studies with Maury, Lewis studied with Dr. Charles Everitt. However, he and Everitt developed some animosity towards each other, and he transferred to the Rev. James Waddell in 1790. Lewis finished his formal education with Waddell. He briefly considered attending the College of William and Mary, but opted to remain in Albemarle to maintain Locust Hill instead.

During the early years of his management, Lewis increased the size of Locust Hill and carefully observed all of the flora and fauna that grew on his land. In 1792 John Marks died and Lewis's mother and half siblings returned to Virginia as well.

In August 1794 in an effort to quell the Whiskey Rebellion President Washington mobilized 13,000 militiamen from Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Lewis was among those that enlisted. Though the revolt was quickly suppressed, he decided to remain with a volunteer army under the command of General Daniel Morgan which patrolled Pittsburgh following the revolt. In August of 1795 Lewis joined the forces of General "Mad" Anthony Wayne at Fallen Timbers in time for the Treaty of Greenville, which accorded peace between the United States and several Indian tribes which had been attacking settlers in the western outreaches of the country. He served alongside another soldier with whom he would become well acquainted, William Clark. In late 1795 Lewis was reassigned to the Chosen Rifle Company, which was commanded by Clark. The two became friends and developed a deep respect for each other. Unfortunately, Clark was forced to resign his commission soon after Lewis's arrival due to familial and health related problems. On December 5, 1800 Meriwether Lewis was promoted to the rank of captain.

In February of the following year he was invited by his longtime acquaintance and newly elected president Thomas Jefferson to become his private secretary and assistant. During his first few months in office, Jefferson developed his plan for studying the western outreaches of the American continent, and exploring new species of interest to botanists and naturalists. Jefferson discussed this idea with Lewis, and Lewis promptly volunteered to lead the proposed expedition. Jefferson sent Lewis to study natural history, botany, astronomy, and other disciplines with some of the leaders in each respective field at the time to prepare Lewis for the journey and give him a background on which to base the scientific observations which Jefferson desired the expedition to record. Jefferson proposed the expedition in a somewhat clandestine message to Congress in January, 1803, and it was approved. Jefferson left the task of recruiting men to accompany the exploration to Lewis and allowed him to invite William Clark to be his co-captain.

Lewis wrote Clark, informing him of the expedition and invited him to become his partner. Due to the inefficiency of the post at the time, Clark's response was delayed. Lewis offered the position to another man, Moses Hooks, should Clark decline. A few days later, Clark's elated acceptance of the offer arrived - Lewis rescinded the offer to Hooks. The expedition began on May 14, 1804, and returned in the late summer of 1806.

In 1807, Lewis returned to Washington for several events celebrating the success of the expedition, also recognizing Lewis's personal merit. He intended at that time to start organizing his journal and field notes for publication. He disseminated his celestial observations and plant and animal specimens that the party had brought back to various scientists for further examination, analysis, and preservation. President Jefferson appointed him Governor of Louisiana, a territory the United States had acquired shortly before the expedition departed in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. In 1809, as Lewis traveled from New Orleans to Washington to see Jefferson and apprise him of his progress on publishing the journals, Lewis died. There is some controversy over whether the governor committed suicide, or whether he was murdered as part of some conspiracy, but either way, on 18 October 1809, Meriwether Lewis was found dead of several gunshot wounds in Grinder's Inn, in Natchez Trace, Tennesee.Meriwether Lewis was born August 18, 1774 at the Lewis family estate, Locust Hill, in Albemarle County, VA. His family boasted many decorated soldiers, including his father, William Lewis. His mother, Lucy Meriwether was his father's cousin. She was also a skilled cook and herbalist whose generous and charismatic nature was known throughout the region. The Lewis and Meriwether families were among the first to settle in the region, and as such, had a long standing connection to and deep friendship with the Jeffersons, among other established Virginia families. Thomas Jefferson knew Meriwether Lewis for the latter's entire life.

William Lewis died of pneumonia in 1779 after crossing a freezing river on leave from the military so he could visit his family. Shortly afterwards, Lucy Lewis married a retired officer, Captain John Marks, in May of 1780. John Marks moved the entire family to Broad River Valley, Georgia, settling in the new Goosepond Community created by General George Mathews. During his time in Georgia, Lewis enhanced his skills as a hunter and outdoorsman. He would often venture out in the middle of the night in the dead of winter with only his dogs to go hunting, at eight years of age. He became interested in natural history, which would develop into a lifelong passion. His mother taught him how to gather wild herbs for medicinal purposes. It was also in Broad River that Lewis first dealt with a native Indian group. The Cherokee Indians lived in antagonistic proximity to the white settlers, but Lewis seems to have been a champion for the Cherokee amongst his own people. Gov. George Gilmer of Georgia described young Meriwether as "having inherited the energy, courage, activity, and good understanding of his mother."

The family grew while in Broad River when Lucy Marks gave birth to Lewis's half-brother and sister, John Hastings Marks in 1785 and Mary Garland Marks in 1788. Meriwether Lewis stayed in Georgia only a short time, he chose to return to Virginia sometime between the ages of 12 and 14 to manage Locust Hill and undergo a formal education.

Lewis attended school taught by Parsons William Douglas and Matthew Maury. (Douglas also tutored future presidents Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe.) Following his studies with Maury, Lewis studied with Dr. Charles Everitt. However, he and Everitt developed some animosity towards each other, and he transferred to the Rev. James Waddell in 1790. Lewis finished his formal education with Waddell. He briefly considered attending the College of William and Mary, but opted to remain in Albemarle to maintain Locust Hill instead.

During the early years of his management, Lewis increased the size of Locust Hill and carefully observed all of the flora and fauna that grew on his land. In 1792 John Marks died and Lewis's mother and half siblings returned to Virginia as well.

In August 1794 in an effort to quell the Whiskey Rebellion President Washington mobilized 13,000 militiamen from Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Lewis was among those that enlisted. Though the revolt was quickly suppressed, he decided to remain with a volunteer army under the command of General Daniel Morgan which patrolled Pittsburgh following the revolt. In August of 1795 Lewis joined the forces of General "Mad" Anthony Wayne at Fallen Timbers in time for the Treaty of Greenville, which accorded peace between the United States and several Indian tribes which had been attacking settlers in the western outreaches of the country. He served alongside another soldier with whom he would become well acquainted, William Clark. In late 1795 Lewis was reassigned to the Chosen Rifle Company, which was commanded by Clark. The two became friends and developed a deep respect for each other. Unfortunately, Clark was forced to resign his commission soon after Lewis's arrival due to familial and health related problems. On December 5, 1800 Meriwether Lewis was promoted to the rank of captain.

In February of the following year he was invited by his longtime acquaintance and newly elected president Thomas Jefferson to become his private secretary and assistant. During his first few months in office, Jefferson developed his plan for studying the western outreaches of the American continent, and exploring new species of interest to botanists and naturalists. Jefferson discussed this idea with Lewis, and Lewis promptly volunteered to lead the proposed expedition. Jefferson sent Lewis to study natural history, botany, astronomy, and other disciplines with some of the leaders in each respective field at the time to prepare Lewis for the journey and give him a background on which to base the scientific observations which Jefferson desired the expedition to record. Jefferson proposed the expedition in a somewhat clandestine message to Congress in January, 1803, and it was approved. Jefferson left the task of recruiting men to accompany the exploration to Lewis and allowed him to invite William Clark to be his co-captain.

Lewis wrote Clark, informing him of the expedition and invited him to become his partner. Due to the inefficiency of the post at the time, Clark's response was delayed. Lewis offered the position to another man, Moses Hooks, should Clark decline. A few days later, Clark's elated acceptance of the offer arrived - Lewis rescinded the offer to Hooks. The expedition began on May 14, 1804, and returned in the late summer of 1806.

In 1807, Lewis returned to Washington for several events celebrating the success of the expedition, also recognizing Lewis's personal merit. He intended at that time to start organizing his journal and field notes for publication. He disseminated his celestial observations and plant and animal specimens that the party had brought back to various scientists for further examination, analysis, and preservation. President Jefferson appointed him Governor of Louisiana, a territory the United States had acquired shortly before the expedition departed in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. In 1809, as Lewis traveled from New Orleans to Washington to see Jefferson and apprise him of his progress on publishing the journals, Lewis died. There is some controversy over whether the governor committed suicide, or whether he was murdered as part of some conspiracy, but either way, on 18 October 1809, Meriwether Lewis was found dead of several gunshot wounds in Grinder's Inn, in Natchez Trace, Tennesee.Meriwether Lewis was born August 18, 1774 at the Lewis family estate, Locust Hill, in Albemarle County, VA. His family boasted many decorated soldiers, including his father, William Lewis. His mother, Lucy Meriwether was his father's cousin. She was also a skilled cook and herbalist whose generous and charismatic nature was known throughout the region. The Lewis and Meriwether families were among the first to settle in the region, and as such, had a long standing connection to and deep friendship with the Jeffersons, among other established Virginia families. Thomas Jefferson knew Meriwether Lewis for the latter's entire life.

William Lewis died of pneumonia in 1779 after crossing a freezing river on leave from the military so he could visit his family. Shortly afterwards, Lucy Lewis married a retired officer, Captain John Marks, in May of 1780. John Marks moved the entire family to Broad River Valley, Georgia, settling in the new Goosepond Community created by General George Mathews. During his time in Georgia, Lewis enhanced his skills as a hunter and outdoorsman. He would often venture out in the middle of the night in the dead of winter with only his dogs to go hunting, at eight years of age. He became interested in natural history, which would develop into a lifelong passion. His mother taught him how to gather wild herbs for medicinal purposes. It was also in Broad River that Lewis first dealt with a native Indian group. The Cherokee Indians lived in antagonistic proximity to the white settlers, but Lewis seems to have been a champion for the Cherokee amongst his own people. Gov. George Gilmer of Georgia described young Meriwether as "having inherited the energy, courage, activity, and good understanding of his mother."

The family grew while in Broad River when Lucy Marks gave birth to Lewis's half-brother and sister, John Hastings Marks in 1785 and Mary Garland Marks in 1788. Meriwether Lewis stayed in Georgia only a short time, he chose to return to Virginia sometime between the ages of 12 and 14 to manage Locust Hill and undergo a formal education.

Lewis attended school taught by Parsons William Douglas and Matthew Maury. (Douglas also tutored future presidents Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe.) Following his studies with Maury, Lewis studied with Dr. Charles Everitt. However, he and Everitt developed some animosity towards each other, and he transferred to the Rev. James Waddell in 1790. Lewis finished his formal education with Waddell. He briefly considered attending the College of William and Mary, but opted to remain in Albemarle to maintain Locust Hill instead.

During the early years of his management, Lewis increased the size of Locust Hill and carefully observed all of the flora and fauna that grew on his land. In 1792 John Marks died and Lewis's mother and half siblings returned to Virginia as well.

In August 1794 in an effort to quell the Whiskey Rebellion President Washington mobilized 13,000 militiamen from Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Lewis was among those that enlisted. Though the revolt was quickly suppressed, he decided to remain with a volunteer army under the command of General Daniel Morgan which patrolled Pittsburgh following the revolt. In August of 1795 Lewis joined the forces of General "Mad" Anthony Wayne at Fallen Timbers in time for the Treaty of Greenville, which accorded peace between the United States and several Indian tribes which had been attacking settlers in the western outreaches of the country. He served alongside another soldier with whom he would become well acquainted, William Clark. In late 1795 Lewis was reassigned to the Chosen Rifle Company, which was commanded by Clark. The two became friends and developed a deep respect for each other. Unfortunately, Clark was forced to resign his commission soon after Lewis's arrival due to familial and health related problems. On December 5, 1800 Meriwether Lewis was promoted to the rank of captain.

In February of the following year he was invited by his longtime acquaintance and newly elected president Thomas Jefferson to become his private secretary and assistant. During his first few months in office, Jefferson developed his plan for studying the western outreaches of the American continent, and exploring new species of interest to botanists and naturalists. Jefferson discussed this idea with Lewis, and Lewis promptly volunteered to lead the proposed expedition. Jefferson sent Lewis to study natural history, botany, astronomy, and other disciplines with some of the leaders in each respective field at the time to prepare Lewis for the journey and give him a background on which to base the scientific observations which Jefferson desired the expedition to record. Jefferson proposed the expedition in a somewhat clandestine message to Congress in January, 1803, and it was approved. Jefferson left the task of recruiting men to accompany the exploration to Lewis and allowed him to invite William Clark to be his co-captain.

Lewis wrote Clark, informing him of the expedition and invited him to become his partner. Due to the inefficiency of the post at the time, Clark's response was delayed. Lewis offered the position to another man, Moses Hooks, should Clark decline. A few days later, Clark's elated acceptance of the offer arrived - Lewis rescinded the offer to Hooks. The expedition began on May 14, 1804, and returned in the late summer of 1806.

In 1807, Lewis returned to Washington for several events celebrating the success of the expedition, also recognizing Lewis's personal merit. He intended at that time to start organizing his journal and field notes for publication. He disseminated his celestial observations and plant and animal specimens that the party had brought back to various scientists for further examination, analysis, and preservation. President Jefferson appointed him Governor of Louisiana, a territory the United States had acquired shortly before the expedition departed in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. In 1809, as Lewis traveled from New Orleans to Washington to see Jefferson and apprise him of his progress on publishing the journals, Lewis died. There is some controversy over whether the governor committed suicide, or whether he was murdered as part of some conspiracy, but either way, on 18 October 1809, Meriwether Lewis was found dead of several gunshot wounds in Grinder's Inn, in Natchez Trace, Tennesee.Diplomat, explorer, scientist, governor, soldier, Virginia gentleman, student, secretary to the president: during his 36 years, Meriwether Lewis bore each of these titles. Born into a prominent Virginia family, Lewis faced the world with opportunity and advantage. By the time of his death in late 1809, he struggled with “melancholy,” financial troubles and alcohol. Complex and often contradictory, the incarnations of Meriwether Lewis provide insight into the man behind the titles.

Virginia gentleman: Born in 1774, in Albemarle County, Virginia, Meriwether Lewis was the first child of Lucy Meriwether and William Lewis. After William’s death in 1781, Lucy remarried and moved the family to Georgia. As a young teenager, Lewis returned by himself to Virginia to manage his family’s estate. Upon the death of his stepfather, Lewis, not yet out of his teens, became the head of a household that included his mother and four siblings.

Soldier: Enlisting in 1794, Meriwether Lewis served in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio. During this time, he met and befriended one of his commanding officers, William Clark. Army life suited Lewis and by 1800 he had been promoted to captain.

Secretary to the President: Shortly after his election, President Jefferson invited Lewis to serve as his personal secretary. Explaining the selection, Jefferson wrote that a “personal acquaintance with [Lewis], owing to his being of my neighborhood, has induced me to select him…” Lewis served as secretary for less than two years before being reassigned. Jefferson had selected Lewis to be the “intelligent officer…fit for the enterprise and willing to …explore…to the Western Ocean.”

Student: In 1803, preparing for his journey to the Pacific Ocean, Lewis spent a month in Philadelphia studying with the eminent scientists of the day. His education included intensive courses in medicine, preservation of plant and animal samples, the use of navigation instruments for determining latitude and longitude, and the study of fossils.

Explorer, Diplomat and Scientist: Between 1804 and 1806, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led the Corps of Discovery from Wood River, Illinois, to the Pacific Ocean. As they traveled, Clark mapped their route and Lewis recorded information about and collected samples of the unfamiliar plants and animals they encountered. The explorers met with the tribes of the Louisiana Purchase to tell them of the changes that would transpire under U.S. ownership. Lewis and Clark also tried to establish peace between tribes. Not understanding complex intertribal relations and tribal structures, few of these peace-making efforts met with enduring success.

Governor: In 1806, Jefferson appointed Lewis governor of the Louisiana Territory. Taking up his post nearly two years later, Lewis faced challenges almost immediately. Personality conflicts, political differences, and questions about the appropriation of government funds all contributed to his difficulties. Hoping to resolve the financial questions, Lewis set out for Washington D.C. in late 1809. The "melancholy" Lewis experienced throughout his life reappeared to such an extent that his traveling companions worried for Lewis's safety. On October 11, 1809, Meriwether Lewis died in his lodgings in Tennessee. Although questions remain, it is generally believed that he died at his own hand.

More information about Meriwether Lewis is available in the following books and web sites.

Books
Meriwether Lewis
Written by Richard Dillon and published by Western Tanager Books.

Undaunted Courage
Written by Stephen Ambrose and published by Simon and Schuster.
Web sites
Biography of Meriwether Lewis at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial web site

PBS site on the Corps of Discovery with biography of Meriwether Lewis
Meriwether Lewis
American explorer
View All (6)
Born
August 18, 1774
near Charlottesville, Virginia
Died
October 11, 1809
near Nashville, Tennessee
Read More:
William ClarkChristopher ColumbusSir Francis DrakeRene-Robert Cavelier, sieur de La SalleBrigham YoungHuey LongVasco Nunez de BalboaFrancisco Vazquez de Coronado
Meriwether Lewis, (born Aug. 18, 1774, near Charlottesville, Va. [U.S.]—died Oct. 11, 1809, near Nashville, Tenn., U.S.), American explorer, who with William Clark led the Lewis and Clark Expedition through the uncharted American interior to the Pacific Northwest in 1804–06. He later served as governor of Upper Louisiana Territory.

Born to William Lewis and Lucy Meriwether, Meriwether Lewis grew up on Locust Hill, the family’s plantation in Ivy Creek, Va.—near Monticello, home of the future U.S. president Thomas Jefferson. Lewis’s father died while serving in the Continental Army in 1779. His mother then married John Marks and relocated her family to Georgia before being widowed again by 1792. Returning to Virginia, Lewis began managing Locust Hill under his uncle’s supervision. He joined the Virginia militia in 1794 to suppress the Whiskey Rebellion in Pennsylvania. The following year he enlisted in the army at the time of the Northwest Indian War against Miami Chief Little Turtle and served for a brief time in William Clark’s Chosen Rifle Company. Lewis’s military career advanced rapidly from ensign (1795) to lieutenant (1799) to captain (1800), and he served as an army recruiter and paymaster. In 1801 President Jefferson asked Lewis to be his personal secretary and aide-de-camp.

In 1803 Jefferson appointed Lewis commander of an expedition to explore the American territory newly acquired in the Louisiana Purchase. His considerable frontier skills, military service, physical endurance, intellectual prowess, and literary skills made him an excellent choice. Lewis traveled to Philadelphia to study astronomy, botany, zoology, and medicine with some of the country’s brightest scientists and doctors. He also began making preparations, recruiting men, and purchasing equipment, boats, and supplies for the expedition.