Meriwether Lewis

Meriwether Lewis (August 18, 1774 - October 11, 1809) was an American explorer, soldier,public administrator; hebest knownhis role asleader ofCorpsDiscovery.

Lewis was bornAlbemarle County, Virginia (near Charlottesville)movedhis familyGeorgia when he was ten. At thirteen he was sent backVirginiaeducation by private tutors.

He had also joinedVirginia militia,in 1794 was sent as part ofdetachment involvedputting downWhiskey Rebellion. The next year he joinedregular armyserved1801, at one point asmemberhis future associate William Clark's detachment. He achievedrankcaptain before leavingarmy.

He was appointed as private secretaryPresident Thomas Jefferson1801was intimately involved inplanning ofexpedition, being sent by JeffersonPhiladelphiabe schooledmap makingother necessary skills.

After returning fromLewisClark Expedition, Lewis receivedreward1500 acreslandwas appointed governor ofLouisiana TerritorysettledSt. Louis, Missouri. He was shot attavern called Grinder's Stand about 70 miles from Nashville, Tennessee, onNatchez Trace, while enrouteWashington; his wrists had been cut,he had been shot inheadchest. Whether his death was from suicide (aswidely believed) or murder (as contended by his family) has never been conclusively determined; however,should be noted that he allegedly attemptedjump intoMississippi River,drown, shortly before his death.