Born in Calvert County, Maryland, in 1757, James Wilkinson’s early years were spent on the family farm until the age of seven when his father died. It was at this time that Wilkinson became apprenticed to the physician John Bond. At the age of seventeen Wilkinson relocated to Philadelphia to continue his medical training. James Wilkinson initially opened his practice in Monocacy, Maryland, in 1775, but soon lost interest in medicine when he became caught up in the revolutionary fervor of the age. By 1776, Wilkinson had become acquainted with General Nathaniel Greene and Benedict Arnold, and decided to embark upon a career in the military. After quarreling and fighting a bloodless duel with General Horatio Gates, Wilkinson resigned his staff position only to be secure a position as clothier general in George Washington’s army. Due to deficiencies in his accounts, Wilkinson was forced to resign his office in 1781. During the 1780s, Wilkinson first moved to Pennsylvania and then to Kentucky. It was during this time in Kentucky that Wilkinson attempted to persuade Spain to open up the Mississippi River to Kentuckians’ trade. This was done by pledging an oath to Spain and promising to help Spain gain possession of Kentucky. At the same time, Wilkinson was also lobbying the United States to grant Kentucky statehood. In 1791, Wilkinson was commissioned as a lieutenant colonel in the battle against the Indians in the Northwest Territory. Wilkinson quickly rose to the position of brigadier general. Once the war was won, Wilkinson was reassigned to the southern frontier. Between 1805 and 1806, Wilkinson became Territorial Governor of Louisiana until rumors began circulating that he was conspiring with Aaron Burr to separate the Mississippi Valley from the United States. Wilkinson testified against Burr in an effort to clear himself. Many of Wilkinson’s contemporaries were not convinced that he had not played a part in the plot. During the War of 1812, Wilkinson once again commanded an army, but was soon demoted for drunkenness and neglect of duty when he failed to invade Canada as he had been ordered to do. Falling upon difficult financial circumstances Wilkinson traveled to Mexico City in 1822 in an effort to obtain Texas land grants. In 1825, Wilkinson died penniless and alone in Mexico City.