Explorer. Beginning his career in the Royal Navy in 1857, he took part in the Abyssinian campaign of 1868 and also in the repression of the slave trade. In 1873 his knowledge of Africa led to the Royal Geographical Society selecting him to lead an expedition in support of Dr David Livingstone. When Livingstone died in 1874 he led the expedition to Lake Tanganyika to recover his papers. He mapped the Southern part of the Lake, and discovered the Lukaga River. He the travelled to the Lualaba River, which he correctly thought was the main stream of the Congo. He next turned South-West, following the Congo-Zambezi watershed until reaching Bihe, finally reaching the sea in November 1875. He was the first European to cross continental Africa from coast to coast, and was promoted to commander soon afterwards. He published an account of his journey in 1877 under the title "Across Africa". The book also contained his theories about using the great African lakes as part of a Cape to Cairo road scheme. In later life he was involved in a number of business projects in Africa, including a proposed railroad to the Persian Gulf. He joined Sir Richard Burton on an expedition to West Africa in 1882. Together they published "To the Coast for Gold" (1883). He died after falling from his horse after a hunting trip at Leighton Buzzard, England.
Explorer. Beginning his career in the Royal Navy in 1857, he took part in the Abyssinian campaign of 1868 and also in the repression of the slave trade. In 1873 his knowledge of Africa led to the Royal Geographical Society selecting him to lead an expedition in support of Dr David Livingstone. When Livingstone died in 1874 he led the expedition to Lake Tanganyika to recover his papers. He mapped the Southern part of the Lake, and discovered the Lukaga River. He the travelled to the Lualaba River, which he correctly thought was the main stream of the Congo. He next turned South-West, following the Congo-Zambezi watershed until reaching Bihe, finally reaching the sea in November 1875. He was the first European to cross continental Africa from coast to coast, and was promoted to commander soon afterwards. He published an account of his journey in 1877 under the title "Across Africa". The book also contained his theories about using the great African lakes as part of a Cape to Cairo road scheme. In later life he was involved in a number of business projects in Africa, including a proposed railroad to the Persian Gulf. He joined Sir Richard Burton on an expedition to West Africa in 1882. Together they published "To the Coast for Gold" (1883). He died after falling from his horse after a hunting trip at Leighton Buzzard, England.
Bio by: js
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