Meriwether Lewis and William Clark

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark co-led the Corps of Discovery expedition from 1804 to 1806, exploring the Louisiana Purchase for President Thomas Jefferson to find a navigable route to the Pacific Ocean. Lewis, Jefferson's former secretary, was the expedition's commander, while Clark's expertise in mapping and diplomacy was crucial to the journey's success. Their journey documented countless new species, gathered vast geographical knowledge, and established contact with Native American tribes.  Sacajawea, a Lemhi Shoshone woman, served as an invaluable field naturalist for the Lewis and Clark expedition, identifying and gathering edible plants that kept the Corps of Discovery from starving. Her traditional Shoshone knowledge of the natural world was critical to the expedition's survival and success. She helped navigate vast territories, secured vital resources through diplomacy with tribes, and provided critical knowledge of the landscape.