Meriwether Lewis & William Clark

Era: 19^th Century

Importance: Literally paved the way for future pioneers and Westward travellers

Module: American West

Meriwether Lewis & William Clark

Between 1803 and 1806 William Lewis and Meriwether Clark ventured out into the west in North America. They were surveying and charting the lands they discovered on the orders of President Jefferson. This was immediately following the USA’s purchase of the Great Plains from France (sometimes referred to as the Louisiana Purchase).

Their maps and charts of the Great Plains were invaluable to those migrating westwards in the nineteenth century.