Meriwether Lewis

Meriwether Lewis (August 18, 1774 – October 11, 1809) was an American explorer, soldier, politician, 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 with, and sovereignty over the natives near the Missouri River, and claim the Pacific Northwest and Oregon Country for the United States before European nations. They also collected scientific data, and information on indigenous nations.^[1] President Thomas Jefferson appointed him Governor of Upper Louisiana in 1806.^[2][3] He died in 1809 of gunshot wounds, in what was either a murder or suicide.

Quick Facts 2nd Governor of the Louisiana Territory, Appointed by ...

Meriwether Lewis
Portrait by Charles Wilson Peale, c. 1807
2nd Governor of the Louisiana Territory
In office March 3, 1807 – October 11, 1809
Appointed by	Thomas Jefferson
Preceded by	James Wilkinson
Succeeded by	Benjamin Howard
Commander of the Corps of Discovery
In office 1803–1806
President	Thomas Jefferson
Preceded by	Corps commissioned
Succeeded by	Corps disbanded
Private Secretary to the President
In office 1801–1803
President	Thomas Jefferson
Preceded by	William Smith Shaw
Succeeded by	Lewis Harvie
Personal details
Born	(1774-08-18)August 18, 1774 Locust Hill Plantation, Albemarle County, Colony of Virginia (now Ivy, Virginia)
Died	October 11, 1809(1809-10-11) (aged 35) Hickman County, Tennessee, U.S. (now near Hohenwald, Tennessee)
Cause of death	Gunshot wounds
Occupation	Explorer, soldier, politician
Signature
Military service
Branch/service	Infantry
Years of service	1795–1807
Rank	Captain
Unit	Legion of the United States 1st United States Infantry Regiment
Commands	Corps of Discovery; see above.

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