John Charles Fr mont popularly known as "The Pathfinder" during his times--played a major role in opening up the American West to settlement by pioneers. His reliable accounts, including published maps, narrations, and scientific documentations of his expeditions, guided emigrants overland into the West starting in the mid-1840s. Fremont was born illegitimate to a Qu b cois father and a Virginian mother. Through the lucky circumstance of obtaining...