What did meriwether lewis do

Meriwether Lewis Captain Corps of Discovery — Independence National Historic Park. Meriwether Lewis was a U. As an explorer his studies, research, and writing paved the way for Americans to move westward. As a governor, his laws and policies set the tone for the next century of American settlement in the west.

When was meriwether lewis born and died

When he was five years old, his father passed away from medical complications while serving in the Continental Army. Soon after, his mother remarried and moved the family to Georgia. Instead of attending school, Lewis spent most of his time outdoors where he came to love hunting and nature. When his stepfather passed away in , Lewis moved back to Virginia.

During these years, Lewis also became acquainted with the owner of a large neighboring plantation, Thomas Jefferson. Army in at the age of 21 and excelled through the ranks to captain. He served as a rifleman for a time under a man by the name of William Clark. When Jefferson became president in , he asked Lewis to be his personal secretary.

Lewis spent two years working with the president before Jefferson offered him his next opportunity. Jefferson had long believed there was a water passage to the West. After other failed attempts at sending explorers to the Pacific, the new president asked Lewis to lead an expedition. In , President Jefferson bought a large amount of land from France.