On this day in 1770, explorer William Clark was born in Caroline County, Virginia. From 1804 to 1806, Clark helped lead the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition across the country to the Pacific Ocean.
Image: William Clark / Wikimedia Commons
Clark was the ninth of ten children born to John Clark and Ann Rogers. Five of his older brothers fought during the American Revolution, including his second-oldest brother, George Rogers Clark, who rose to the rank of general.
In 1803, Meriwether Lewis recruited Clark to co-captain the newly formed Corps of Discovery, which would explore and map the territory of the Luisiana Purchase, establish American sovereignty over the newly acquired land, and establish trade with Native Americans. On May 14, 1804, Lewis and Clark departed St. Louis, Missouri to begin their mission of exploring the American Northwest. During their two year expedition, Lewis and Clark were accompanied by Sacagawea, a Shoshone who acted as a guide and interpreter.
Explore William Clark’s family tree on Geni and discover how you’re related to the explorer!
View William Clark’s Geni Profile
iframe{ border: 1px solid #999; }
Source: Geni.com
Be First to Comment