Key Figures in Early American History

Thomas Jefferson

Author of the Declaration of Independence, third U.S. president.

Sally Hemings

Jefferson's slave and mother of his children.

Albert Gallatin

Treasury Secretary who balanced the federal budget.

John Marshall

Chief Justice who established judicial review principle.

Samuel Chase

Federalist justice impeached for partisanship, acquitted by Senate.

Napoleon Bonaparte

French emperor who sold Louisiana Territory to U.S.

Robert R. Livingston

Negotiated Louisiana Purchase as U.S. minister to France.

Toussaint L'Ouverture

Haitian leader of successful slave uprising, captured in 1802.

Meriwether Lewis

Explorer who led the Louisiana Territory expedition.

William Clark

Co-leader of the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Sacajawea

Shoshone guide for Lewis and Clark's expedition.

Aaron Burr

Vice president who killed Hamilton in a duel.

James Wilkinson

Military governor who conspired with Aaron Burr.

James Madison

Fourth U.S. president, co-author of the Constitution.

Tecumseh

Shawnee warrior who sought Indian confederacy against U.S.

Tenskwatawa

Shawnee religious leader promoting Indian unity and revival.

Louisiana Territory

Land acquired from France in 1803 purchase.