Christopher "Kit" Carson was an American frontiersman, explorer, and guide born on December 24, 1809, in Kentucky. He became famous for his role in the westward expansion of the United States during the 19th century. Carson worked as a trapper and later served as a scout for the U.S. Army, participating in various expeditions, including those led by John C. Frémont. Throughout his life, Kit Carson was known for his skills in navigation and survival in the wilderness. He played a significant role in the California Gold Rush and was instrumental in mapping routes through the Rocky Mountains and the Great Basin. Carson passed away on May 23, 1868, in Colorado.