travel & exploration
Isaac Weld was an Irish explorer, writer, and artist.
After completing his studies, Isaac Weld traveled to the new lands of America in 1795, meeting Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. The purpose of his journey was to learn of opportunities for Irish resettlement. Returning in 1797, Weld soon published his book, A Journey through the States of North America and the Provinces of Upper and Lower Canada. In general, Weld did not like the United States; he particularly noted the practice of slavery and the treatment of Native peoples by the rude new Americans. But he liked Canada and Quebec: he praised the views from the Citadel and reported that because of the low cost of land, a middle-income person could easily settle in the country for himself and his family.
This book by Weld was quite popular: it went through several editions from its first publication in 1799 to 1807. By 1820, it had also been translated into French, German, Italian, and Dutch.
In 1800 Weld was elected a member of the Royal Society of Dublin. In 1811 and 1812 he served on the library committee, and on December 4, 1828, he was elected honorary secretary. His first act in this capacity was to establish an annual exhibition of specimens of the manufactures and products of Ireland. Isaac Weld published several other books on Ireland and Great Britain, illustrated with his own drawings. Of these, his Statistical Survey of the County of Roscommon, over seven hundred pages long, published by the Royal Dublin Society in 1832, stands out.
George Heriot was a Scottish and Canadian civil servant, writer and artist.
As a young man, Heriot traveled to the West Indies, wrote and sketched extensively during his stay in the Caribbean, and, returning to London in 1781, published a "Descriptive Poem". He then studied art at the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich and taught painting.
In 1792 he was sent to Quebec as clerk in the artillery department. From 1800 to 1816. Heriot served as deputy postmaster general of British North America, and upon retirement returned to Britain. During his time in Canada, in addition to his main job, George Heriot traveled extensively, as well as painting and writing. He published two books based on his experiences in the country: A History of Canada since its First Discovery (1804) and A Journey through Canada (1807), with his own illustrations.
William Joseph Snelling was an American adventurer, writer, poet, and journalist.
William was the son of Colonel Josiah Snelling and lived among the Indians for quite a long time, knew their customs and language, and worked as an interpreter.
In 1828, Snelling began working as a journalist for several periodicals. In his publications, he addressed poignant and important social topics and raised the issue of the threat to Native American life. His stories included early descriptions of Native Americans on the plains; he earned his greatest fame as the author of accounts of his adventures on the American frontier.
William Clark, an American frontiersman, is best known for co-leading the epic Lewis and Clark Expedition alongside Meriwether Lewis from 1804 to 1806. This journey was a monumental exploration of the American West, extending to the Pacific Northwest, which laid the foundation for westward expansion and significantly contributed to the nation's knowledge of the vast territory.
Before his fame as an explorer, William Clark had a substantial military career, beginning with his service in the militia and the U.S. Army during the Northwest Indian War. His experiences in the military, including participation in the Battle of Fallen Timbers, honed his leadership and survival skills, which were crucial for the success of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Following the expedition, William Clark continued to serve in significant roles, including as the governor of Missouri Territory and as a superintendent of Indian Affairs. His later years were dedicated to managing relations with various Native American tribes, navigating the complexities of the expanding American frontier.
For collectors and experts in art, history, and antiques, William Clark's life and contributions offer a fascinating lens through which to explore the early 19th-century American narrative. His maps, journals, and other related artifacts provide a unique perspective on this formative period in U.S. history.
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