A Legacy of Exploration: From York to Victor Glover's Lunar Orbit

In April 2026, four astronauts are scheduled to fly around the Moon as part of NASA’s Artemis II mission, marking the first human lunar orbit in half a century. Pilot Victor Glover will be the first Black astronaut to orbit the Moon. This historic event connects to the invaluable contributions of America's first Black explorer, York, who traveled with Lewis and Clark.

York's Role in the Lewis and Clark Expedition

York was born enslaved in Virginia around 1770 and was owned by the Clark family. He became William Clark's "body servant," and in 1803, Clark ordered York to accompany the expedition.

York's contributions to the Corps of Discovery were extensive and vital to the mission's success, including:

• Helping to construct winter quarters and operating a whipsaw.
• Assisting in rowing and towing the party’s barge.
• Hunting, being noted as the fifth named member to bring down a buffalo.
• Cooking for the captains, collecting scientific specimens, and nursing the sick, including Sacagawea.

During the expedition, York encountered prejudice, including an incident where sand was thrown in his face.

In councils with Native leaders, including the Arikara, Mandan, and Hidatsa, York attracted significant attention as they had not previously met a Black person. He was described as "the most marvelous" aspect of the corps by the Arikara.

Later, on the Columbia River, York demonstrated his ability to manage boats and was a strong swimmer, skills essential for navigating dangerous rapids. He also found opportunities to make choices and assert himself, such as sending a buffalo robe to his wife and disregarding orders from Clark to scale back his interactions with Native people.

Official Recognition and Compensation

During the expedition, York's role evolved, culminating in him being asked to vote on the location for the final winter quarters.

This act recognized him as an official American explorer and a key member of the federally funded mission.

The U.S. government paid US$274.57 for York’s labor, a sum comparable to what privates received. However, this payment was made to William Clark, not to York.

Broader History of Black Explorers

American history includes numerous Black explorers, extending far beyond the Lewis and Clark expedition. Other expeditions launched by Thomas Jefferson also included enslaved individuals whose names are largely unrecorded.

Notable figures include Isaiah Brown, who served on the Wheeler Survey after the Civil War, and Matthew Henson, who accompanied Robert Peary on Arctic expeditions. More recently, NASA has relied on Black astronauts such as Guy Bluford, Mae Jemison, and Jeanette Epps.

York and Victor Glover exemplify this tradition of Black individuals contributing to exploration, with York's contributions being acknowledged over the course of the expedition.