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William Clark - Explorer (1770 -
1838) |
William Clark was a retired soldier when he
was recruited by Meriwether Lewis to share command
of the
Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore the
area acquired through the Louisiana Purchase.
His skills in wilderness survival, and the experience
he gained during his time in the militia, proved
invaluable to the Corps of Discovery on their
journey.
This page details facts about William Clark's
life and the events that shaped his history.
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William Clark the Explorer -
Fun Facts for Kids ! |
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William Clark Fact
1: |
William Clark was born on 1st August
1770 in Caroline County, Virginia. He was one of ten children
and, being tutored at home, he received no formal education. |
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William Clark Fact
2: |
In 1785, Clark and his family relocated
to Kentucky, settling at Mulberry Hill near Louisville. |
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William Clark Fact
3: |
It was in Kentucky that he learned wilderness
survival skills from his older brother, George Rogers Clark,
who had become a General while fighting in the American
Revolutionary war. |
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William Clark Fact
4: |
In 1789 William Clark joined a volunteer
militia force, serving under Major John Hardin. In 1790
he was commissioned as a Captain in the Clarksville, Indiana
militia. |
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William Clark Fact
5: |
In 1791 he served in expeditions under
Generals Scott and Wilkinson as a Lieutenant and Ensign.
He went on to enlist in the Legion of the United States
where, in 1792, he was commissioned as Lieutenant. |
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William Clark Fact
6: |
During the Northwest Indian war, Clark
was involved in several fights with the Indians, and in
1794 commanded a company of riflemen during the US victory
at the Battle of Fallen Timbers. This victory led to the
ending of the war. |
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William Clark Fact
7: |
On 4th July 1796 Clark resigned his commission
and, due to poor health, retired and returned to the family
plantation at Mulberry Hill. |
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William Clark Fact
8: |
In 1803 William Clark
was recruited by Meriwether Lewis to share command of
the Corps of Discovery on what would become known as
the ‘Lewis and Clark Expedition’. His main roles were
to draw maps, manage the expedition’s supplies and lead
hunting expeditions.
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William Clark Fact
9: |
In 1807 William Clark
was appointed US agent for Indian affairs and Brigadier
General of the Louisiana militia, by President Jefferson.
He worked under Meriwether Lewis, who had become the
Governor of Louisiana Territory and had the final say
on all decisions.
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Picture
of Meriwether Lewis
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William Clark Fact 10: |
In his dealings with the native Indians,
William Clark demonstrated mixed feelings. He was committed
to his duty to drive them to give up their lands and traditional
ways, but at the same time he was concerned for the survival
of these Native Americans. |
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William Clark Fact 11: |
William Clark took part in the 1812 war
against the British, leading several campaigns. He also
established Fort Shelby, which was the first post in what
we now know as Wisconsin. |
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William Clark
Fact 12: |
Following the
death of Sacagawea, one of the guides of the Lewis
and Clark Expedition, in December 1812, William
Clark adopted her two children Jean Baptiste and
Lizette.
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William Clark
Fact 13: |
In 1813 President
Madison appointed William Clark as Governor of the
newly formed Missouri Territory. He held the position
for seven years, being reappointed by Madison in
1816 and President Monroe in 1820. Later in 1820
Missouri became a state and Clark was defeated in
the election for Governor by Alexander McNair.
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William Clark Fact 14: |
In 1822 Monroe appointed Clark Superintendent
of Indian Affairs. He negotiated many treaties between the
Indians and the US and took part in President Andrew Jackson’s
Indian Removal policy. |
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William Clark Fact 15: |
William Clark married twice. The first
marriage was to Julia Hancock, in 1808, and produced five
children. The second, following Julia’s death in 1820, was
to her cousin Harriet Kennerly Radford, and produced three
children. Harriet died in 1831. |
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William Clark Fact 16: |
William Clark died aged 68 on 1st September
1838 in St. Louis. He was buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery,
St. Louis. |
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William Clark the Explorer
(1770 - 1838) Fun Facts Info for Kids ! |
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