John Charles Frémont

Douglas J Canfield (University of Arizona)
Download PDF Add to Bookshelf Report an Error

John C. Frémont, known as The Pathfinder, was a major explorer of the American West, the first Republican candidate for president, a Major General in the Civil War, a millionaire speculator, and Governor of the Arizona Territory.

Born in Savannah, Georgia, 21 January 1813 as the bastard son of an adulterous South Carolina plantocratic wife and a French Canadian interloper, the dashing Frémont obtained his opportunities for greatness mostly because he seduced the daughter of one of the most powerful men in the American government, Senator Thomas Hart Benton from Missouri, who finally accepted him as a son-in-law and a partner in his plans for Manifest Destiny. Those plans led Frémont, a surveyor with only a political appointment in the army and no military training, guided by the great

669 words

Citation: Canfield, Douglas J. "John Charles Frémont". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 08 January 2001 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=1608, accessed 19 March 2024.]

1608 John Charles Frémont 1 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

Save this article

If you need to create a new bookshelf to save this article in, please make sure that you are logged in, then go to your 'Account' here

Leave Feedback

The Literary Encyclopedia is a living community of scholars. We welcome comments which will help us improve.