Meriwether Lewis
Explorer portrayed in the docudrama *The Men Who Built America: Frontiersmen*.
Meriwether Lewis is portrayed by Derek Charition in the History Channel docudrama *The Men Who Built America: Frontiersmen*. The four-part miniseries, which premiered on March 7, 2018, follows Lewis alongside William Clark, Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, Andrew Jackson, and others who blazed new trails across America's wilderness. Narrated by Campbell Scott and directed by John Ealer, the series is the third installment of the That Built franchise and was executive produced by Leonardo DiCaprio.
- field
- Exploration, military, politics, public administration
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Leading the Lewis and Clark Expedition (Corps of Discovery)
Lore & Background
In *The Men Who Built America: Frontiersmen*, Meriwether Lewis is one of the historical figures whose life and expeditions are dramatized. The series covers Lewis as part of the Lewis and Clark expedition, alongside William Clark, as they explored the American wilderness. The miniseries is a complement to the 2012 docudrama *The Men Who Built America* and consists of eight individual episodes, which were combined into four for its initial broadcast on the History Channel. Derek Charition plays the role of Meriwether Lewis in the production.
Reader's Guide
To understand Meriwether Lewis's role in *The Men Who Built America: Frontiersmen*, viewers should watch the four-part miniseries that premiered on March 7, 2018. The series follows Lewis and Clark, along with other frontiersmen like Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, and Andrew Jackson, as they blazed new trails across America's wilderness. The docudrama is narrated by Campbell Scott and directed by John Ealer, with executive production by Leonardo DiCaprio. It is the third installment of the That Built franchise.
Did You Know?
- Meriwether Lewis is portrayed by Derek Charition in the History Channel docudrama *The Men Who Built America: Frontiersmen*.
- The series premiered on March 7, 2018, and is a four-part miniseries.
- It is the third installment of the That Built franchise.
- The docudrama was executive produced by Leonardo DiCaprio.
- The series follows Lewis and Clark alongside other frontiersmen like Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, and Andrew Jackson.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Meriwether Lewis?
Meriwether Lewis (1774–1809) was an American explorer, military officer, and public servant born in Albemarle County, Virginia. He is most widely recognized as the commander of the Corps of Discovery, the first U.S. overland expedition to reach the Pacific Ocean.
What was the Lewis and Clark Expedition?
The Corps of Discovery was a westward journey that surveyed the Louisiana Purchase territory, built trade relationships with Native peoples along the Missouri River, and staked American claims on the Pacific Northwest and Oregon Country.
What was Meriwether Lewis's specific role in the expedition?
President Jefferson personally selected Lewis to plan and lead the entire expedition, making him the expedition's commanding officer responsible for navigation, diplomacy, and scientific documentation of the route.
How did Meriwether Lewis die?
Lewis was found dead on October 11, 1809, with gunshot wounds, and historians still debate whether he took his own life or was killed by another person. The ambiguity of his final hours remains one of the most discussed open questions in early American history.
Why is Meriwether Lewis considered important in American history?
His leadership of the Corps of Discovery opened the western frontier to U.S. settlement, trade, and territorial claim, fundamentally reshaping the nation's geographic scope. After the expedition he also served as Governor of Upper Louisiana, a role Jefferson appointed him to oversee the region's administration.
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