James Marshall

James Marshall was an American carpenter and gold prospector, best known for his discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in California in 1848. This find triggered the California Gold Rush, a massive influx of people seeking fortune in the West. Before this, California was a relatively remote area, but Marshall's discovery brought thousands of prospectors, miners, and settlers. The Gold Rush transformed California's economy and population, leading to its statehood in 1850. Despite his significant role in this pivotal moment in American history, Marshall struggled with the consequences of the Gold Rush and did not gain the wealth he anticipated.