Who were the people involved with the Louisiana Purchase?

Robert R. Livingston

Robert R. Livingston was the principal negotiator for the US. Based in Paris, he, along with James Monroe, successfully negotiated beyond their instructions from President Jefferson to purchase the entire Louisiana territory.

Read more about Robert Livingston by following these links:

• Pick where you want to go by perusing Google's results in a search for 'Robert Livingston'
• Read a biography from USHistory.org
• Read a biography and search related material on Livingston from the Library of Congress (you will need to scroll halfway down the page)
• Read a biography by J.T. Lawson

James Monroe

James Monroe was the second negotiator sent by Jefferson to negotiate with the French over America's desire to gain access to the Mississippi and New Orleans.

Read more about James Monroe by following these links:

• Google's results in a search for 'James Monroe' and 'Louisiana Purchase'
• Read a biography from the Whitehouse (Monroe was America's fifth President)
• Read a biography from AmericanPresident.org
• Read a detailed biography and Monroe's inaugural address

President Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson was an active political figure during the lead-up to the Louisiana Purchase. He had been Governor of Virginia, Minister to France and Secretarty of State under President Washington before he became President.

Read more about Thomas Jefferson by following these links:

• Google's results in a search for 'Thomas Jefferson'
• Read a biography from the Whitehouse
• Read Jefferson's inuagural address
• Look at Thomas Jefferson's writings at the Library of Congress
• Read about Jefferson at AmericanPresidents.org

Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon was the French First Consul. During his time in power, he advocated the advance of French interests (ie. imperial expansion) in Europe and the Orient.

Read more about Napoleon by following these links:

• Check out Google's results in a search for 'Napoleon Bonaparte'
• Read a biography from the Old State Capitol Museum (also has small biographies about other people involved in the Louisiana Purchase)
• Visit PBS's site on Napoleon
• Visit Napoleon.org

Francois Barbe-Marbois

Francois Barbe-Marbois was the Finance Minister under Napoleon at the time of the Louisiana Purchase and, as such, played an integral role in determining the economic vaibility of the Louisiana colony to French interests.

Read more about Barbe-Marbois by following these links:

• Take your pick of Google's results in a search for 'Barbe Marbois' and 'Louisiana Purchase'
• Read a brief biography from the Columbia Encyclopedia
• Read a detailed biography from Virtualology.com