1866 – 1955
Matthew Alexander Henson was the first African-American Arctic explorer. He accompanied Robert Peary on eight Arctic voyages, where his technical skills and ability to communicate with the Eskimo were indispensable. While Peary received worldwide fame and recognition for their famous 1909 discovery expedition to the North Pole, Mr. Henson was largely ignored for years by the white-dominated society.
His account of the famous expedition, “ A Negro Explorer at the North Pole”, was published in 1912. He later became a member of the distinguished Explorers Club and received honorary degrees from Howard University and Morgan College. In 1988 Mr. Henson’s remains were moved to Arlington Cemetary where so many American heroes and soldiers are buried. In 1996, the Navy ship, the USNS Henson, was named for him. And the National Geographic Society, in 2000 awarded him its highest honor: the Hubbard Medal, for distinction in exploration, discovery, and research.
There can be no conquest to the man who dwells in the narrow and small environment of a groveling life, and there can be no vision to the man the horizon of whose vision is limited by the bounds of self. But the great things of the world, the great accomplishments of the world, have been achieved by men who had high ideals and who have received great visions. The path is not easy, the climbing is rugged and hard, but the glory at the end is worthwhile.
I loved this post Kim! Too bad recognition came so late!
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Thanks Sophie. He did gain some recognition before he died, but the biggest accolades came after.🙇🏻♀️
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Thank you for posting this! I love stories about Arctic/Antarctic exploration!
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You’re very welcome.
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Nice feature, Kim. I might never have heard of him otherwise. 🙂
(By the way, have a look at this, concerning your migraines. https://leighajadexo.wordpress.com/2019/02/07/cbd-oil-has-changed-my-life/ )
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks Pete. I didn’t really know much about him myself. And thanks for the link!
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Would have been nice for him to get a medal whilst still living, but good that he was recognised in the end.
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At least he gained some recognition before he died Fraggle.
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What a fascinating story. I’m glad you shared it! Love the quote about horizons and vision… is that a quote from Henson’s book?
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I’m glad you liked it Janice. I’m afraid I don’t know if the quote is from his book. I found it on Brainy Quotes and it didn’t attribute it to the book, nor is it on Goodreads under his book quotes.
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Wow this one looks really interesting. Thanks for sharing!
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You’re welcome!☺️
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Very interesting. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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You’re very welcome.☺️
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