John C. Frémont

Union Army major general rank insignia

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Thomas Hart Benton daguerreotype

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Jessie Benton Fremont

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General John Charles Frémont Healy Unknown Date

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John C. Frémont.jpg John C. Frémont, c. 1856

John Charles Frémont (January 21, 1813 – July 13, 1890) was an American explorer, military officer, and politician. He was a key figure in the expansion of the United States into the western territories and played a significant role in the California Gold Rush. Frémont was the first candidate of the Republican Party for the office of President of the United States in 1856.

Early Life and Education

Frémont was born in Savannah, Georgia, to Charles Frémont, a French immigrant, and Anne Beverley Whiting. He attended the College of Charleston, where he developed an interest in mathematics and natural sciences.

Exploration and Mapping

Frémont led several expeditions into the American West, mapping large areas of the Oregon Trail and the Great Basin. His reports and maps were crucial in encouraging westward migration. He earned the nickname "The Pathfinder" for his efforts in exploring and mapping the western territories.

Military Career

Frémont served as a Major General in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was appointed to command the Department of the West, where he issued a controversial emancipation proclamation that was later rescinded by President Abraham Lincoln.

Political Career

Frémont was the first United States Senator from California, serving from 1850 to 1851. He was the Republican Party's first presidential candidate in 1856 but lost to James Buchanan. He later served as the Governor of Arizona Territory from 1878 to 1881.

Personal Life

Frémont married Jessie Benton Frémont, the daughter of Senator Thomas Hart Benton, in 1841. The couple had five children. Jessie was an influential figure in her own right, assisting her husband in his political and exploratory endeavors.

Death and Legacy

Frémont died on July 13, 1890, in New York City. He is remembered as a pioneering explorer and a significant figure in the history of American westward expansion.

Related Pages

• California Gold Rush
• Oregon Trail
• Republican Party (United States)
• American Civil War
• Abraham Lincoln
• James Buchanan
• Thomas Hart Benton