Meriwether Lewis

Meriwether Lewis was born in Albemarle County, Virginia on August 18, 1774. The family lived on a big farm near Thomas Jefferson. Lewis was a close friend of Jefferson. Lewis joined the army when he was 20. He stayed in the army his whole life. Lewis met William Clark in the army.

When Jefferson was President of the United States, he asked Lewis to lead some people into the Louisiana Purchase. The United States got this new land in 1803. Jefferson wanted to know about the land, the plants, and animals in the Louisiana Purchase. Lewis got ready. He learned about plants and animals in Philadelphia. He asked his friend William Clark to go on the trip.

Lewis and Clark began their 2-year trip on May 14, 1804. Lewis brought his dog Seaman on the trip. There were 30 people on the trip. It was called The Corp of Discovery. Lewis kept a diary of his trip. It is full of facts. The trip showed that the new land was good. Lewis came through Missouri. He went on the Missouri river. The Missouri river is north of Springfield. Lewis and Clark explored the new land. Lewis’ trip made it possible for others to come to Missouri.

Lewis was made governor of the Louisiana territory after the trip. He then died on October 11, 1809.

Author: Olivia Warford

Sources:
http://www.lewis-clark.org/bio_lewis.htm
http://www.lewisandclarktrail.com/biography.htm
http://www.kcmuseum.com/explor01.html
http://www.pbs.org/lewisandclark/inside/mlewi.html