What was george donner known for?

George Donner was known as the leader of the ill-fated Donner Party, a group of American pioneers who set out for California in 1846. The party became trapped in the Sierra Nevada during a harsh winter, leading to starvation and tragic consequences, including instances of cannibalism. Donner's name has since become synonymous with the dangers of westward expansion and the survival struggles faced by early settlers.