Meriwether Lewis and William Clark told stories that made people want to move west in search of a better life.
Meriwether Lewis was an American explorer, who with William Clark led the Lewis and Clark Expedition through the uncharted American interior to the Pacific Northwest in 1804–06.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition spanned 8,000 mi (13,000 km) and three years, taking the Corps of Discovery, as the expedition party was known, down the Ohio River, up the Missouri River, across the Continental Divide, and to the Pacific Ocean. Lewis served as the field scientist, chronicling botanical, zoological, meteorological, geographic and ethnographic information.
Lewis and Clark provided valuable information and a wealth of scientific knowledge about the topography, the biological sciences, the ecology, and ethnic and linguistic studies of the American Indian. Lewis performed most the astronomical duties and Clark charted the course and drafted expedition maps.
They had some noteworthy accomplishments in the field of biological sciences. Lewis and Clark were the first to describe in detail the many plant and animal species new to science. They also provided a better understanding of the range, habits, and physical characteristics of many know species.
The mysteries of the vast area known as the Louisiana Purchase quickly disappeared after Lewis and Clark.
For further reading, refer to the following sources:
History.com
NebraskaStudies.org
PBS.org