Benjamin Bonneville

Explorer

Birthday April 14, 1796

Birth Sign Aries

Birthplace Arkansas

DEATH DATE Jun 12, 1878 (82)

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About

Explorer who blazed large portions of the Oregon Trail in the 1830's. He was also a fur trapper who served as a brevet Brigadier General in the American Civil War.

Before Fame

He was born in Paris and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in just two years.

Trivia

He described his adventures to author Washington Irving, who wrote about them in his famous 1837 book The Adventures of Captain Bonneville.

Family Life

He married Sue Neis and had one daughter.

Associated With

His journey from France to the United States was paid for by political theorist Thomas Paine.