Voting Station

Zebulon Pike

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Explorer

The Resume

    (January 5, 1779-April 27, 1813)
    Born in Lamberton, New Jersey
    Brigadier general and explorer
    Led an expedition to find the source of the Mississippi River (1805)
    Headed the Pike Expedition to explore the southern portion of the Louisiana Purchase (1806-07)
    Namesake for Pikes Peak, Colorado
    Served in the War of 1812
    Killed during the Battle of York in Canada

Why he might be annoying:

    Information from his expeditions was used by Aaron Burr in Burr's plot to set up a new nation in the west.
    The Pike Expedition ended when he accidentally wandered into Mexico and he and his men were arrested by the Spanish.
    His description of the Great Plains as 'incapable of cultivation' and likely to be 'as celebrated as the sandy deserts of Africa' slowed settlement of the area by decades.

Why he might not be annoying:

    The Spanish accused him of being a spy rather than an explorer, but ironically he learned far more about Spanish military and political affairs in the area from being hauled as a prisoner through New Mexico, northern Mexico and Texas than he did from his expedition.
    His account of his explorations was so popular that it was translated into French, German and Dutch for publication in Europe.
    After leading a successful attack on York, he was killed by flying debris when the British blew up the ammunition garrison without warning while the surrender negotiations were underway.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 10 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 4 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 10 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 17 Votes: 47.06% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 18 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 13 Votes: 30.77% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 22 Votes: 50.0% Annoying