British Explorer. The son of an innkeeper, he became involved with Scottish explorer Hugh Clapperton on an expedition to Western Africa in 1825. The only surviving European member of that expedition, he returned to England in 1828. Two years later, he set off on another West Africa expedition, and explored the River Benue and Niger Delta, returning home in 1831. The following year he returned to West Africa with the intent on establishing a trading post at the junction of the Niger and Benue rivers; however, expedition difficulties rendered their efforts fruitless. While traveling upstream in a canoe, he was attacked by natives and seriously wounded by a musket ball in the thigh. He managed to make it to the coast but succumbed to his injuries just two days short of his 30th birthday. In 1835 a monument to his memory was erected in his home town.
British Explorer. The son of an innkeeper, he became involved with Scottish explorer Hugh Clapperton on an expedition to Western Africa in 1825. The only surviving European member of that expedition, he returned to England in 1828. Two years later, he set off on another West Africa expedition, and explored the River Benue and Niger Delta, returning home in 1831. The following year he returned to West Africa with the intent on establishing a trading post at the junction of the Niger and Benue rivers; however, expedition difficulties rendered their efforts fruitless. While traveling upstream in a canoe, he was attacked by natives and seriously wounded by a musket ball in the thigh. He managed to make it to the coast but succumbed to his injuries just two days short of his 30th birthday. In 1835 a monument to his memory was erected in his home town.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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