William Clark

William Clark (1770-1838) was an American explorer, soldier, and politician best known for his role as a leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806). This journey, commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson, sought to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory and find a route to the Pacific Ocean. Clark, alongside Meriwether Lewis, mapped the land, studied its wildlife and Indigenous cultures, and established relations with Native American tribes. Their expedition greatly expanded knowledge of the American West and contributed to westward expansion, making Clark an important figure in U.S. history and exploration.