Benjamin Bonneville was an American explorer and military officer born in 1796. He is best known for his expeditions in the western United States during the 1830s. Bonneville's journeys helped to map the region and provided valuable information about the geography and resources of the area, particularly in what is now Utah and Wyoming. In 1832, Bonneville led a significant expedition that traveled through the Rocky Mountains and into the Great Basin. His adventures were later documented in the writings of others, contributing to the understanding of the American West. Bonneville's legacy is remembered for his role in early American exploration.