Historical Characters of Early America

European Exploration Early Colonies Revolutionary Period Early Republic Civil War Period Progressive Era Westward Expansion American Indian

European Exploration—1000 to 1682

Voyage of Leif Ericson to La Salle explores Mississippi

Character/Date	Short Biography
Viking Explorers
Erik the Red 950–1003	Raised in Iceland, Eric discovered Greenland. His Son Leif Erikson discovered Newfoundland.
Leif Ericsson 980–1020	Discovered Newfoundland and explored the seacoast of North America. Son of Erik the Red.
Spanish Explorers
Christopher Columbus 1451–1506	Genoan sailor, sponsored by Isabela of Spain, who crossed the Atlantic Ocean and discovered the Americas.
Vasco Nunez Balboa 1475–1519	Helped establish a Spanish colony in Panama and discovered the Pacific Ocean.
Ponce de Leon 1460–1521	First Spanish governor of Puerto Rico. Explored inland regions of Florida while searching for the fountain of youth.
Hernando De Soto 1496–1542	Adventurer who aided in conquest of Peru, then explored Southwestern United States. Discovered Mississippi river.
Francisco de Coronado 1510–1554	Spanish explorer who was a governor in Mexico, and explored regions of the Southwest United States.
French Explorers
Jacques Cartier 1491–1557	Discovered the St. Lawrence Seaway and great lakes, while searching for Northwest Passage.
Samuel de Champlain 1580–1635	Founded French colonies in the St. Lawrence seaway and great lake region. Father of 'New France.'
Pere Marquette 1637–1675	French Missionary who explored the Mississippi River from the Great Lakes.
Rene La Salle 1643–1687	Dauntless adventurer who followed the Mississippi to its mouth, and claimed all for France.
Isaac Jogues 1607–1646	Heroic Jesuit missionary to Indians. Tortured by the Indians, but returned to preach the gospel.
English Explorers
John Cabot 1450–1499	First discoverer of North American Mainland. Sailed for England rather than Italy.
Humphrey Gilbert 1537–1583	Sea-faring adventurer. Founded the first English colony in Canada.
Francis Drake 1540–1596	Greatest sea adventurer. Sailed around the world, harassed Spanish ships. Fought in Armada.
Richard Grenville 1542–1591	One of Elizabeth's famous sailors. Involved in War with Spain and settlement of colonies. Died defending the Revenge.
Martin Frobisher 1535–1594	Explored much of Canada in seach of the Northwest Passage. Fought in the Armada.
Thomas Cavendish 1560–1592	Second Englishman to circumnavigate the globe, and first to intentionally do so.
John Davis 1550–1605	British explorer who sought the Northwest Passage through Canada.
Henry Hudson 1575–1611	Explorer who discovered Hudson Bay and other parts of North America.
William Baffin 1585–1622	Discovered Baffin Bay while on a quest to find the Northwest Passage.
Walter Raleigh 1552–1618	Courtier of Queen Elizabeth. Explorer, mastermind of the Jamestown colony in Virginia.

Early Colonies—1585 to 1750

Lost Colony of Roanoke to Colony of Georgia

Character/Date	Short Biography
Mid Atlantic colonies
John Smith 1580–1631	Adventurer, leader and early settler at Jamestown. Befriended Pocahontas.
Pocahontas 1595–1617	Daughter of an Indian Chieftain who helped the early settlers in the Jamestown Colony in Virginia.
Powhatan d. 1618	Chief of the Powhatan confederacy and father of Pocahontas. Kept an uneasy peace with Jamestown settlers.
Nathaniel Bacon 1647–1676	Colonial farmer who opposed Governor Berkeley's Indian policies and led a major rebellion in Virginia.
William Berkeley 1605–1677	Royalist governor of Virginia who served many years both before and after the English Civil War.
Alexander Spotswood 1676–1740	Governor of Virginia famous for leading an expedition to open settlement of the Blue Ridge mountains.
George Calvert 1699–1751	Founded Maryland, with the goal of providing a haven of religous tolerance in the new world.
William Penn 1660–1718	Quaker, and founder of the colony of Pennsylvania.
James Oglethorpe 1696–1785	Founder of Georgia as buffer state between English and Spanish Colonies . Opposed Slavery.
New England Colonies
William Brewster 1560–1644	One of the Pilgrim Fathers who sailed on the Mayflower. Elder in Congressional Church.
Miles Standish 1584–1656	Military advisor to the Plymouth colony. Arrived on the Mayflower.
John Winthrop 1588–1649	Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
William Bradford 1589–1657	Governor of the Plymouth Colony of Pilgrims. Wrote the Mayflower Compact.
Benjamin Church 1639–1718	Leader of Plymouth colony forces during King Philip's War. Adopted Indian tactics and recruited Indians for his raids.
Anne Hutchinson 1591–1643	Female preacher who was exiled from the Plymouth colony, and later with Roger Williams, founded Rhode Island.
Roger Williams 1603–1684	Religious dissident. Founded Rhode Island and asserted freedom of religion.
John Eliot 1604–1690	Missionary who worked with the American Indians, and translated the bible into native Indian languages.
John Harvard 1607–1638	Founder of Harvard University, the first institution of higher education in the colonies.
Mary Dyer 1611–1660	Quaker woman who publicly preached in Puritan New England and was hanged after repeated warnings to stop.
Harry Vane 1613–1662	Early governor of the Plymouth colony in Massachusetts. Later was beheaded during the English Civil Wars.
William Phips 1651–1695	Colonial governor of Massachusetts during the Salem which trials, who served in several naval expeditions against the French of Canada.
Hannah Dustin 1657–1736	Pioneer woman who was captured by Indians, but made a dramatic escape, killing several of her captors.
Cotton Mather 1663–1728	Puritan minister in colonial New England who was a prolific writer and pamphleteer.
Squanto 1580–1622	New England Indian who helped the pilgrims their first year in Plymouth Colony.
Massasoit 1581–1661	Indian chief who befriended the pilgrims and lived in peace with them for forty years in Massachusetts.
Samoset 1590–1653	First American Indian encountered by the Pilgrims at the Plymouth colony.
King Philip 1639–1676	Leader of the Wampanoags who led the first serious uprising against the white settlers in New England.
French/Dutch colonies
Count Frontenac 1622–1698	Governor of New France from 1672 to 1698. Expanded fur trade, and fought with British.
General Montcalm 1712–1759	Military leader of New France during the Seven Year War; died at Battle of Quebec.
Madeline de Vercheres 1678–1747	Fended off a tribe of Indians attacking her for when she was only fourteen.
Daulac 1635–1660	Led a group of volunteers form Montreal to ambush a force of Iroquois. The entire force was killed to a man.
Peter Stuyvesant 1612–1672	Last Dutch governor of New Amsterdam. Responsible for many improvements during his administration.
Pirates
Captain Kidd 1645–1701	Experience sailor who eventually became involved in piracy, and is said to have hid his treasure on Long Island.
Blackbeard 1680–1718	Notorious pirate of the Spanish Main who haunted the Coast of North Carolina and the West Indies.
Stede Bonnet 1688–1718	Respectable colonial merchant who decided to become a pirate.

Revolutionary Period—1750 to 1788

French-Indian War to Constitutional Congress

Character/Date	Short Biography
Statesmen and Patriots
Benjamin Franklin 1706–1790	Statesman, publisher, inventor, and non-conformist. Founding father, and benefactor of Philadelphia.
Samuel Adams 1722–1803	Founding Father and Governor of Massachusetts. Colonial political philosopher who built support for the revolution.
George Washington 1732–1799	Leader of the Continental Army of the U.S. during the Revolutionary War, and first President.
Robert Morris 1734–1806	American Patriot who helped financed the Revolutionary war. Served as superindendent of finance and controller of the Navy.
Thomas Jefferson 1743–1826	Third President. Author of the Declaration of Independence. Founder of Democrat-Republican Party.
Paul Revere 1735–1818	Paul Revere is famous for his ride from through Lexington-Concord, warning of the British attack.
John Adams 1735–1826	Second President of the United States. Worked tirelessly to help establish the republic on steady footing.
Patrick Henry 1736–1799	American Patriot, active in inciting the rebellion against Britain. First Governor of Virginia.
James Madison 1751–1836	One of the chief authors of the Constitution and writer of the Federalist papers. Fourth President of the U.S.
Alexander Hamilton 1757–1804	Founding Father, principal author of Federalist Papers. Secretary of Treasury.
Nathan Hale 1755–1776	American patriot caught by the British and hung for treason.
War Heroes
Israel Putnam 1718–1790	Outspoken and adventure-loving soldier. Participated in both French-Indian and Revolutionary Wars.
Horatio Gates 1727–1806	Leading Patriot General during the Revolutionary war. Credited with winning the Battle of Saratoga.
Lydia Darrah 1728–1789	When her house was taken over by British officers, she overheard their plans and warned Washington.
John Stark 1728–1822	'Hero of Bennington' during the American Revolution. Fought with Rogers' Rangers during French Indian War.
Robert Rogers 1731–1795	Leader of a band of mountain men who did great service for Britain during the French and Indian War.
Francis Marion 1732–1795	Revolutionary War leader whose used guerilla tactics against the Tories in the Southeast marshes.
Philip Schuyler 1733–1804	Military leader during the American Revolutionary period. Later a statesman from New York.
Ethan Allen 1738–1789	Mountain man who became famous leader of Vermont's "Green Mountain Boys" during Revolution Era.
Benedict Arnold 1741–1801	Hero of the Revolutionary War, but tragically turned traitor. He escaped to the British before discovery.
Anthony Wayne 1745–1796	Bold and popular Revolutionary War Hero. Well known for victory at Stony Point.
John Paul Jones 1747–1792	American Revolution Naval Hero. Famous for the sea fight Bon Homme Richard vs. Serapis.
Molly Pitcher 1753–1832	When her husband was killed, she took over his position and helped man a cannon at the Battle of Monmouth.
Nancy Hart 1735–1830	Pioneer woman who captured a group of Tory soldiers in her home, and later hung them.
Frontiersmen
Simon Girty 1741–1818	Controversial frontiersman who allied himself with the British and Indians against the American colonists. Accused of torture of white captives while living with Indians.
Elizabeth Zane 1759–1823	As Fort Henry was besieged by Indians, Elizabeth risked her life to leave the barricade and carry back gunpowder from her father cabin.
Simon Kenton 1755–1836	Leading settler of the Ohio and Kentucky valleys. Fought on various Indian wars and the Revolutionary war.
George Rogers Clark 1752–1818	Revolutionary war hero who fought both British and Indians in the Ohio Valley.
Daniel Boone 1734–1820	Explored the Kentucky and Tennessee Valley. Opened a road for settlers through Cumberland Gap.
British
General Braddock 1695–1755	Led a disastrous campaign to Fort Duquesne (Ohio) during the French and Indian Wars.
General Howe 1729–1814	Commander-and-Chief of British forces during Revolutionary War. Took New York and Philadelphia.
General Burgoyne 1723–1792	British leader who surrendered with 6000 men to American forces at Saratoga.
General Cornwallis 1738–1805	British leader defeated at Yorktown in Revolutionary War. Later served as governor in India.
Indians
Pontiac 1720–1769	Leader of a Great Lakes tribe who planned a rebellion. His attempt to take fort Detroit was thwarted by an Indian who warned the garrison.
Chief Logan 1725–1780	Indian chief who was friendly to white settlers until his family was killed. He then warred against the U.S.
Cornstalk 1720–1777	Indian leader who tried to be neutral during the Revolutionary War, but was murdered.
Art and Literature
Benjamin West 1738–1820	Eminant American painter who specialized in historical paintings.

Early Republic—1789 to 1850

Constitution ratified to Mexican-American War

Character/Date	Short Biography
Presidents
George Washington 1732–1799	Leader of the Continental Army of the U.S. during the Revolutionary War, and first President.
John Adams 1735–1826	Second President of the United States. Worked tirelessly to help establish the republic on steady footing.
Thomas Jefferson 1743–1826	Third President. Author of the Declaration of Independence. Founder of Democrat-Republican Party.
James Madison 1751–1836	One of the chief authors of the Constitution and writer of the Federalist papers. Fourth President of the U.S.
James Monroe 1758–1831	Fifth president of the United States, and ally of Thomas Jefferson. Acquired Florida and promulgated the 'Monroe Doctrine.'
John Quincy Adams 1767–1848	Diplomat who spent much time in Europe before becoming the sixth U.S. President.
Andrew Jackson 1767–1845	Hero of the Battle of New Orleans, President of U.S., and founder of Democratic Party.
William Henry Harrison 1773–1841	War hero of Tippecanoe and the War of 1812, and briefly, President of the United States.
Zachary Taylor 1784–1850	Military leader who served in various Indian Wars and the Mexican-American War. Twelfth U.S. President.
James K. Polk 1795–1849	U.S. President who followed the policies of Andrew Jackson. President during the Mexican-American War.
Statesmen
Aaron Burr 1756–1836	Controversial American statesman. VP under Jefferson. Killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel. Accused of Treason.
John Marshall 1755–1835	Very Influential Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Founder of principle of Judicial Review.
DeWitt Clinton 1769–1828	Governor of New York best known as the master-mind behind the Erie Canal.
Henry Clay 1777–1852	Congressman and Speaker of the house of the mid-nineteenth century, associated with Webster and Calhoun.
John C. Calhoun 1782–1850	Important Southern Statesman of the mid nineteenth century. Supported slavery and states rights.
Daniel Webster 1782–1852	Influential Senator from New England. Promoted protective tariffs. Favored compromise on slavery.
Stephan Van Rensselaer 1764–1839	Heir to one of the largest fortunes in the United States, governor of New York, and military Hero.
Soldiers and Sailors
Commodore Preble 1761–1807	Founding member of the U.S. Navy. Led the American Naval blockade of Tripoli in 1803.
William Bainbridge 1774–1833	American naval hero who fought against the Barbary pirates, and piloted the U.S.S. Constitution during the war of 1812.
Stephen Decatur 1779–1820	Naval Hero noted for his exploits during the war Barbary War, and also the War of 1812.
Isaac Hull 1773–1843	American naval hero best known for commanding the U.S.S. Constitution when in took on the HMS Guerrierre during the war of 1812.
Oliver Hazard Perry 1785–1819	Naval Hero, commander of American forces at the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
General Winfield Scott 1786–1866	Longest serving officer in American history. Served in all major wars between 1812 and the Civil War.
Indian Leaders
Osceola 1804–1838	Half-breed Seminole Warrior who resisted the settlement of Florida.
Billy Bowlegs 1810–1864	AmerIndian chief who frustrated warred against the United States in the Seminole Wars.
Tecumseh 1768–1813	Shawnee Hero. Tried to unify tribes against the colonists. Fought for Britain during War of 1812.
Sacajewea 1787–1812	Indian woman who accompanied Lewis and Clark during their explorations of the Louisiana Purchase.
John Ross 1790–1866	Frontiersman who tried (but failed) to help the Cherokees form a nation and protect their rights in U.S. Courts.
Black Kettle 1801–1868	Cheyenne chief who tried to make peace, but was sabotaged by aggressive acts of his own Indians as well as the white settlers.
Washakie 1804–1900	Shoshone Indian War Chief
Inventions and Industry
John Jacob Astor 1763–1848	First multi-millionaire in the United States. Made his fortune in the fur trade and New York real estate.
Robert Fulton 1765–1815	Inventor of Steamboats. Operated the steamboat Clermont on the Hudson River.
Eli Whitney 1765–1825	Inventor of the Cotton Gin, and also interchangeable parts for rifles.
Samuel Morse 1791–1872	Inventor of Morse code, a system telegraph transmission widely used before the telephone.
Charles Goodyear 1800–1860	Discovered the process for 'vulcanizing' rubber, and making it far more usable.
Cyrus McCormick 1809–1884	Invented the mechanical reaper, which revolutionized agriculture, especially in midwest.
Explorers/Regional Heroes
Nolichucky Jack 1745–1815	Frontiersman and Indian fighter who became the first governor of the state of Tennessee.
Jean Lafitte 1780–1826	Pirate and American patriot who fought for the Americans during the war of 1812.
Stephen F. Austin 1793–1835	Helped found the state of Texas by leading 300 families to settle in the region.
Sam Houston 1793–1863	Founder of the state of Texas, and first governor.
Daniel Boone 1734–1820	Explored the Kentucky and Tennessee Valley. Opened a road for settlers through Cumberland Gap.
Davy Crockett 1786–1836	Tennessee Frontiersman and congressman. Involved with Texas independence. Died at the Alamo.
Alexander Henry Jr. 1775–1814	Canadian Fur Trader, nephew of Alexander Henry the Elder, who kept extensive journasl of his travels in the northwest.
Arts and Literature
Francis Scott Key 1779–1843	Watched the bombardment of Baltimore during the War of 1812, and penned the National Anthem.
Washington Irving 1783–1859	Popular writer of humor and short stories in the early 19th century.
John James Audubon 1785–1851	World renowned painter and collector of birds.
Horace Mann 1796–1859	Advocate of Public education. Induced Massachusetts to adopt the Prussian model of state sponsored education.
Mary Lyon 1797–1849	Established schools and seminaries for women which became Wheaton College and Mount Holyoke College.

Civil War Period—1850 to 1877

Compromise of 1850 to End of Reconstruction

Character/Date	Short Biography
Statesmen
William Lloyd Garrison 1805–1879	Prominent abolitionist, well-known as the publisher of the Liberator, an abolitionist newspaper.
Jefferson Davis 1808–1889	President of the Confederacy during the Civil War.
Abraham Lincoln 1809–1865	President of the United States during the American Civil War.
Charles Sumner 1811–1874	Anti-slavery Senator from Massachusetts who was an imortant ally of Lincoln, and influential during the Reconstruction era.
Military Heroes
Robert E. Lee 1807–1870	General of the Confederate Army during the American Civil War.
Admiral Farragut 1801–1870	American Naval hero of the Civil War. At the Battle of Mobile Bay, he famously said 'Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!"
P.G.T. Beauregard 1818–1893	Confederate general who was influential in the early years of the civil war.
Ulysses Grant 1822–1885	Commander and Chief of the Union forces in the Civil War, and President of the United States.
William Sherman 1822–1885	American Civil War General. Marched "From Atlanta to the Sea."
Stonewall Jackson 1824–1863	Leading Confederate General of the American Civil War, especially notable at Bull Run. Died at Chancellorsville.
Commodore Perry 1794–1858	Force Japan to open its ports to the west through very skillful and forceful diplomacy.
Abolitionists and Advocates
John Brown 1800–1859	Radical abolitionist who condoned violence in order to abolish slavery. Led a raid on the armory in Harper's Ferry.
Frederick Douglas 1817–1895	American Negro orator who spoke elequently against slavery.
Harriet Beecher Stowe 1811–1896	Influential author of the book Uncle Tom's Cabin. Abolitionist in the pre-war era.
Dorothea Dix 1802–1887	Reformer who sought to better the conditions of the mentally ill.
Horace Greeley 1811–1872	Publisher of the New York Tribune, one of the most influential newspapers of his era.
Clara Barton 1821–1912	Civil War Nurse and Humanitarian. Founder of the American Red Cross.
Oliver Otis Howard 1830–1909	Civil war General who later oversaw the Freedman's bureau, founded Howard University, and was involved in the Indian Wars.
Industry and Invention
John Ericsson 1803–1889	Swedish-American engineer who designed the Moniter, the first iron-clad in the United States Navy.
Elias Howe 1819–1867	American inventor of the sewing machine. His great innovation was the "lock stitch".
Cyrus Field 1819–1892	Led the effort by the Atlantic Telegraph Company to lay the first transatlantic Cable.
Art and Literature
Henry Longfellow 1807–1882	American Poet whose works were very popular. Wrote Paul Revere's Ride and other works.

Progressive Era—1869 to 1918

Transcontinental Railroad to The Great War

Character/Date	Short Biography
Invention and Industry
Alexander Graham Bell 1847–1922	Inventor of the telephone, and also a founder of a school for the deaf.
Thomas Edison 1847–1931	Prolific inventor, responsible for improvements in the light bulb, movies, phonograph, and many others.
Wilber and Orville 1871–1948	Inventors of the first practical airplane. The Wright brothers were self-educated bicycle shop owners.
Andrew Carnegie 1835–1919	American Industrialist who gained his wealth in steel. He gave away most of his riches to libraries and schools.
Jay Gould 1836–1892	American Financier involved with gold speculation, railroad speculation, and Boss Tweed in New York
John Philip Holland 1841–1914	Born in Ireland, Holland designed the first submarine used by the U.S. Navy.
Robert Peary 1856–1920	Artic explorer who claimed to have reached the North Pole.
Political and Military
James Garfield 1831–1881	Elected President of the United states in 1880, but was assassinated only a few month after taking office.
Grover Cleveland 1837–1908	President of the United States, elected twice. He was a reformer, noted for his honesty.
William McKinley 1843–1901	President of the United States during the Spanish American War. He was assassinated in office.
Theodore Roosevelt 1858–1919	Progressive Republican who served as the 26th President of the United States.
Woodrow Wilson 1856–1924	United States President during the First World War. Founder of the League of Nations.
General Pershing 1860–1948	Leader of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I.
Admiral Hobson 1870–1937	Naval leader in the Spanish American war, who heroically attempted to sink a collier in Santiago harbor.
George Dewey 1837–1917	Highest ranking Naval Officer in U.S. Hero of Battle of Manila Bay in Spanish American War.
Sergeant York 1887–1964	Great War veteran famous for his heroic exploits during the Battle of Argonne.
Social Reform
Lucretia Mott 1793–1880	Influential Quaker leader who advocated the rights of women. Held relatively conservative views among early feminists.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton 1815–1902	Early leader in the female suffrage, and temperance movement.
Susan B. Anthony 1820–1906	Leader of the female suffrage and temperence movements who traveled widely and became a full time advocate.
Booker T. Washington 1856–1915	Former slave who became an Important leader of newly freed negroes. Emphasised education, job training, clean-living, and self-help.
Joseph Smith 1805–1844	Founder of the Church of Latter Day Saints. Killed before the Mormans moved to Utah.

Westward Expansion—1770 to 1900

California Missions to Hawaii Becomes a Territory

Character/Date	Short Biography
American Explorers and Missionaries
William Clark 1770–1838	Led an expedition up the Missouri River, map-making, gathering information, and looking for a passage to the Pacific Ocean.
Merriwether Lewis 1774–1809	With William Clark, followed the Missouri river to its source, crossed the Rockies and followed the Columbia to the Pacific Ocean.
Zebulon Pike 1779–1813	Led and expedition to explore the source of the Arkansas river. Followed the river to Colorado.
Kit Carson 1809–1868	Famed Frontiersman who guided Fremont on his expedition to Colorado, and served during the Mexican-American war.
John C. Fremont 1813–1890	American explorer who, along with Kit Carson, led an expedition to California by way of Wyoming and Nevada.
Buffalo Bill 1846–1917	Colorful character of the Old American West. Produced a wild-west show that toured eastern towns with western frontier heroes.
Marcus Whitman 1802–1847	Early missionary who founded the first settlement in Washington State near the columbia river. Massacred by Indians.
General Custer 1839–1876	Cavalry general whose force was ambushed and massacred by the Sioux at the Battle of Little Bighorn.
Oliver Otis Howard 1830–1909	Civil war General who later oversaw the Freedman's bureau, founded Howard University, and was involved in the Indian Wars.
Brigham Young 1801–1877	Leader of the Church of Latter Day Saints after the death of Smith. Led the Mormans to Utah.
John Sutter 1803–1880	Founded a European settlement in the Sacramento Valley where gold was found in 1849.
Spanish Explorers and Missionaries
Francisco de Coronado 1510–1554	Spanish explorer who was a governor in Mexico, and explored regions of the Southwest United States.
Junipero Serra 1713–1784	Franciscan Friar who founded over a dozen missions along the coast of California.
Juan Bautista de Anza 1736–1788	Spanish governor of New Mexico who explored California and established an overland route to the San Francisco.
Native Chieftains and Leaders
Black Hawk 1767–1838	Important Indian chief in the Illinois territory. Inspired the Sauks to resist the Americans during the Black Hawk War.
Sacajewea 1787–1812	Indian woman who accompanied Lewis and Clark during their explorations of the Louisiana Purchase.
Cochise 1805–1874	Apache Indian War Chief.
Winnemucca 1820–1882	Chief of a Piute tribe. First befriended the white settlers, but rebelled when his tribe was mistreated.
Red Cloud 1822–1909	Sioux Indian War Chief.
Geronimo 1829–1909	Last Apache Warrior to hold out against the U.S. Army. Finally capitulated and became a celebrity.
Sitting Bull 1831–1890	Medicine man who organized resistance to U.S. Army. His warriors defeated Custer at Little Bighorn.
Captain Jack 1837–1873	Led a tribe of Modocs off the Klamath reservation to their native home, where they held out caves for several months.
Crazy Horse 1840–1877	Dakota Indian chief who fought against the American army at Rosebud and Little Big Horn.
Chief Joseph 1840–1904	Led Nez Perces in a resistance against the encroachment of white settlers. Finally surrendered.
Kalakaua 1836–1891	Last King of the Hawaiian Islands.
Liliokalani 1838–1917	Last Queen of the Hawaiian Islands.

American Indian—1540 to 1890

De Soto Expedition to Wounded Knee Massacre

Character/Date	Short Biography
Virginia Indians
Pocahontas 1595–1617	Daughter of an Indian Chieftain who helped the early settlers in the Jamestown Colony in Virginia.
Powhatan d. 1618	Chief of the Powhatan confederacy and father of Pocahontas. Kept an uneasy peace with Jamestown settlers.
Cockacoeskie d. 1685	Queen of the Pamunkey, following the Powhatan wars, who made an alliance with the Virginia government during Bacon's rebellion.
Opechancanough 1554–1646	Leader of the Powhatan confederacy who led an Indian massacre against Jamestown beginning in 1622, which killed hundreds of white settlers.
New England Indians
Squanto 1580–1622	New England Indian who helped the pilgrims their first year in Plymouth Colony.
Samoset 1590–1653	First American Indian encountered by the Pilgrims at the Plymouth colony.
Massasoit 1581–1661	Indian chief who befriended the pilgrims and lived in peace with them for forty years in Massachusetts.
Hiawatha ~ 1550	Indian leader of Iroquois Indians who was the subject of a famous Longfellow poem.
King Philip 1639–1676	Leader of the Wampanoags who led the first serious uprising against the white settlers in New England.
Northwest (Great Lakes) Indians
Cornstalk 1720–1777	Indian leader who tried to be neutral during the Revolutionary War, but was murdered.
Pontiac 1720–1769	Leader of a Great Lakes tribe who planned a rebellion. His attempt to take fort Detroit was thwarted by an Indian who warned the garrison.
Chief Logan 1725–1780	Indian chief who was friendly to white settlers until his family was killed. He then warred against the U.S.
Little Turtle 1747–1812	Indian chief from the Ohio Valley who first fought against the U.S. but later counseled Peace.
Tecumseh 1768–1813	Shawnee Hero. Tried to unify tribes against the colonists. Fought for Britain during War of 1812.
Southeast Indians
Tuscaloosa d. 1540	Choctaw chieftain who resisted de Soto at the Battle of Mauvila during his expedition through the southwest.
Billy Bowlegs 1810–1864	AmerIndian chief who frustrated warred against the United States in the Seminole Wars.
Osceola 1804–1838	Half-breed Seminole Warrior who resisted the settlement of Florida.
Western Indians
Black Hawk 1767–1838	Important Indian chief in the Illinois territory. Inspired the Sauks to resist the Americans during the Black Hawk War.
Sacajewea 1787–1812	Indian woman who accompanied Lewis and Clark during their explorations of the Louisiana Purchase.
Black Kettle 1801–1868	Cheyenne chief who tried to make peace, but was sabotaged by aggressive acts of his own Indians as well as the white settlers.
Washakie 1804–1900	Shoshone Indian War Chief
Cochise 1805–1874	Apache Indian War Chief.
Manuelito 1818–1893	Navajo Indian War Chief.
Winnemucca 1820–1882	Chief of a Piute tribe. First befriended the white settlers, but rebelled when his tribe was mistreated.
Red Cloud 1822–1909	Sioux Indian War Chief.
Geronimo 1829–1909	Last Apache Warrior to hold out against the U.S. Army. Finally capitulated and became a celebrity.
Sitting Bull 1831–1890	Medicine man who organized resistance to U.S. Army. His warriors defeated Custer at Little Bighorn.
Standing Bear 1834–1908	Ponca chieftain whose tribe was forcibly removed from their settlement. He later 'sued' the government and won.
Captain Jack 1837–1873	Led a tribe of Modocs off the Klamath reservation to their native home, where they held out caves for several months.
Crazy Horse 1840–1877	Dakota Indian chief who fought against the American army at Rosebud and Little Big Horn.
Chief Joseph 1840–1904	Led Nez Perces in a resistance against the encroachment of white settlers. Finally surrendered.
Sarah Winnemucca 1841–1891	Daughter of Chief Winnemucca. Served as translator between Piutes and U.S. Army. Wrote a book.

Historical Characters of Early America

European Exploration—1000 to 1682

Voyage of Leif Ericson to La Salle explores Mississippi

Viking Explorers

Spanish Explorers

French Explorers

English Explorers

Early Colonies—1585 to 1750

Lost Colony of Roanoke to Colony of Georgia

Mid Atlantic colonies

New England Colonies

French/Dutch colonies

Pirates

Revolutionary Period—1750 to 1788

French-Indian War to Constitutional Congress

Statesmen and Patriots

War Heroes

Frontiersmen

British

Indians

Art and Literature

Early Republic—1789 to 1850

Constitution ratified to Mexican-American War

Presidents

Statesmen

Soldiers and Sailors

Indian Leaders

Inventions and Industry

Explorers/Regional Heroes

Arts and Literature

Civil War Period—1850 to 1877

Compromise of 1850 to End of Reconstruction

Statesmen

Military Heroes

Abolitionists and Advocates

Industry and Invention

Art and Literature

Progressive Era—1869 to 1918

Transcontinental Railroad to The Great War

Invention and Industry

Political and Military

Social Reform

Westward Expansion—1770 to 1900

California Missions to Hawaii Becomes a Territory

American Explorers and Missionaries

Spanish Explorers and Missionaries

Native Chieftains and Leaders

American Indian—1540 to 1890

De Soto Expedition to Wounded Knee Massacre

Virginia Indians

New England Indians

Northwest (Great Lakes) Indians

Southeast Indians

Western Indians