Jessie Benton Fremont: General 'Jessie' and The 'Pathfinder'

Jessie Benton Frémont, daughter of Sen. Thomas Benton Hart, was one of the most powerful American women of the nineteenth century, not because of wealth or station or political connections, but on account of her intelligence, vision and literary powers. She canonized her husband, John C. Frémont, made him a national hero and insured his legacy. More streets, counties, buildings and other landmarks are named after him than for most American presidents, not because he was deserving of such ac...