Meriwether Lewis

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.

18 August 1774

Born on the same birth day (18 August): Alfred Wallis • Andy Samberg • Antonio Salieri • Bajirao I • Brook Taylor • Clemente Biondetti • Curtis Jones (pianist) • Denis Leary • Elayne Boosler • Esteban Cambiasso • Francesco Canova da Milano • Hans van Mierlo • Huw Edwards • Jeremy Shockey • Justin Wilson (baseball) • Lucy Ozarin • Mark Kuhlmann • Nettie Palmer • Paraskevas Antzas • Ron Strykert • Sarah Dash • Stuart Dew • Walther Funk • William Halford • Yu Mengyu

Born in the same month (August 1774): Elizabeth Ann Seton • Robert Southey