York (explorer)

York (1770–1775 – after 1815) was an enslaved man who was the only African-American member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804–1806. A lifelong slave and personal servant of William Clark, York participated in the entire exploration and made significant contributions to its success.^{: 302 : 152} In doing so he became the first African American to cross the continent and to see the Pacific Ocean. He has since become an American icon and several monuments depicting him have been erected in honor of his legacy.

York was born into slavery in the Colony of Virginia, the son of Old York and Rose, both of whom were enslaved by John Clark III, William Clark's father. William inherited York from his father in 1799. York was a large man; his weight has been estimated as 200 pounds (91 kg). He was about the same age as Clark, perhaps a few years older or younger, and naturally strong. His skin was dark: he was "black as a bear", said one who knew him, and his hair was short and curly. Like most enslaved persons of the time, York was illiterate, and information about him is scant.

York expected to be given his freedom after the expedition was successfully completed, in view of what he called his "immense services", but Clark refused repeatedly and became angry when York would not go back willingly to his pre-expedition role as Clark's body servant. He also expressed irritation at York's insistence on remaining in Louisville, where his wife and possibly children were. He whipped York and eventually sold him.

Documentation concerning York is lacking for the years immediately following the expedition. About 20 years later, Clark told Washington Irving that he had freed York and set him up in business, giving him six horses and a large wagon to start a drayage business moving goods between Nashville and Richmond.