William Clark was an American explorer, soldier, Indian agent, and territorial governor. A native of Virginia, he grew up in pre-statehood Kentucky before later settling in what became the state of Missouri.
Portrait by Charles Willson Peale, c. 1810
Lewis and Clark, 1954 issue
Clark depicted on the 1904–05 commemorative Lewis and Clark Exposition dollar
Meriwether Lewis 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. President Thomas Jefferson appointed him Governor of Upper Louisiana in 1806. He died in 1809 of gunshot wounds, in what was either a murder or suicide.
Portrait by Charles Wilson Peale, c. 1807
Historical marker, Philadelphia, PA
Meriwether Lewis National Monument located at milepost 385.9 on the Natchez Trace Parkway.
Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Paul Allen with a biography of Meriwether Lewis, 1813