Born in Savannah, Georgia. Attended Charleston College and expelled in 1831. He served with the Army Topographical Engineers Corps exploring and mapping parts of the western states. Fremont joined Nicollet on an expedition into western Minnesota. Married Jessie Benton, daughter of Thomas Hart Benton, October 19, 1841. They had one daughter. Fremont explored and mapped territories in the west.

He helped capture Los Angeles in the Mexican War 1846. He served as Governor of California in 1847. He was court marshaled on charges of mutiny and insubordination, found guilty, and resigned from the Army March 15, 1848. He was elected as one of the first two senators from California serving September 9, 1850, to March 4, 1851. In 1856 he was the Republican Party candidate for president. Fremont was appointed major general in the Regular Army from May 14, 1861. In 1864 he was again a candidate for president. He was convinced to withdraw to avoid embarrassment to Lincoln. Served as Territorial Governor of Arizona 1878 to 1883. He died in New York City.

Fremont appears on a medal (Julian PE-11) by Anthony Paquet.

bio: ApCAB; BDC; DAB; Drake; EAB; NCAB 4; NYHSD; TCBDA; WAB; WWWA-H; NUM 75 Sep 1962 page 1171