Unit 1: Missouri’s Land and People
People who Made a Difference
Joseph Whitehouse
1775? – 1850?
Joseph Whitehouse accompanied Lewis and Clark on their expedition into the West. He was a member of the Corps of Discovery. Whitehouse kept written records of the journey. These sometimes clarified what was written in the journals of the two famous explorers.
Mark Twain
1835 – 1910
The writing of Mark Twain is often associated with the Midwest. Missouri and the Mississippi River play important roles in many of Twain’s stories. Explore the house where he raised his family and wrote several of his classics.
Laura Ingalls Wilder
1867 – 1957
Laura Ingalls Wilder grew up on the frontier. Her series of “Little House” books was meant to capture what it was like to be a pioneer. She wrote all of her books on Rocky Ridge Farm in Missouri. She had no idea that they would one day bring her fame.
Thomas Hart Benton
1889 – 1975
After living in Paris and New York City, Thomas Hart Benton returned to Missouri. Here he created his most famous pieces of art. Many of his paintings portrayed the United States emerging from the Great Depression.
Charlie Parker
1920 – 1955
Having taught himself how to play the saxophone, Charlie Parker became one of the most influential jazz musicians in America. Together with four other musicians of his time Parker created a new form of jazz. It was called “bebop”.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
1962 –
Jackie Joyner-Kersee is a great athlete. She is one of the greatest track stars in our country's history. Jackie Joyner-Kersee is also a leader. Many female athletes today see her as one of their heroes. Joyner-Kersee has shown hundreds of girls that they can be top athletes too.
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