d) Stephen H. Long

Early explorer Stephen H. Long’s reports were instrumental in popularizing the term “Great American Desert,” referring to the western part of the United States. In the early 19th century, Long led an expedition through the Great Plains, and his descriptions of the region as arid and unsuitable for agriculture influenced public perception and settlement patterns for years. This label, though later proven inaccurate as agricultural methods adapted, reflected the challenges and misconceptions faced by early explorers and settlers in understanding and navigating the vast and diverse landscapes of the American West.