b) Jedediah Smith

Jedediah Smith, an influential American figure, was responsible for creating the first detailed map of the American West. A trapper, hunter, and explorer, Smith’s extensive travels and expeditions across the Rocky Mountains, the Great Basin, and the Pacific Northwest in the early 19th century provided valuable geographical and cultural information. His detailed maps and reports were crucial in guiding future explorers and settlers, contributing significantly to the understanding and exploration of the vast and uncharted western territories of the United States.