A Negro Explorer at the North Pole by Matthew Henson

by Matthew Henson

Overview

Matthew Henson's account of his journey to the North Pole with Robert Peary forms the basis for A NEGRO EXPLORER AT THE NORTH POLE. The account follow's Henson's and Peary's controversial 1909 attempt to reach the pole, and also includes fascinating descriptions of the Inuit people of Greenland and the arduous journey north. While recent scholarship has called into question whether Henson and Peary truly reached the North Pole, Henson's account provides a fascination view of one of the earliest attempts to reach the pole.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940148418139
Publisher:	Civitas Media LLC
Publication date:	09/10/2013
Series:	Civitas Library Classics , #1
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	398 KB

About the Author

Matthew Alexander Henson (1866-1955) was an American explorer, who with Robert Peary, has been crediting as the first to reach the North Pole. Born in Maryland, Henson was orphaned at a young age and supported himself through working at a variety of occupations, including as a cabin boy, able seaman, and a store clerk. He met Robert Peary in 1887, who promptly hired Henson for his experience as a sailor. Henson accompanied Peary to Nicaragua to survey a possible canal route, as well as several arctic journeys. During the 1909 attempt to reach the pole, Henson proved invaluable as an interpreter and guide, and may have been the first person to set foot on the pole. Following the expedition, Henson spent most of the remainder of his life in obscurity, although he was honored by Congress in 1944 and by presidents Truman and Eisenhower. More than thirty years after his death, Henson's remains were buried near Peary's in Arlington National Cemetery.