John Lawson (1674-1711) was one of the most important historical figures in North and South Carolina. Considered the "Lewis and Clark" of his day, Lawson was a writer, explorer, surveyor, and collector of fauna and flora who made an epic voyage through the Carolinas in the winter of 1701. Lawson eventually co-founded and led the colonies of Bath (1705) and New Bern (1710).