Matthew Henson - First African-american to Explore the North Pole, Timeline and Personal Life
Matthew Henson's Personal Details
Matthew Henson was the first African-American to explore the North Pole
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | August 8, 1866 |
| Died on | March 9, 1955 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | Harvard University, Miscellaneous, Explorers, African American Men, First African-american to Explore the North Pole |
| City/State | Maryland |
| Spouses | Lucy Ross |
| Known as | Matthew Alexander Henson, Metthew A. Henson, Matthew A. Henson |
| Universities |
|
| Notable Alumnis |
|
| Birth Place | Nanjemoy |
| Gender | Male |
| Sun Sign | Leo |
| Born in | Nanjemoy |
| Famous as | First African-American to explore the North Pole |
| Died at Age | 88 |
Matthew Henson's photo
Who is Matthew Henson?
Matthew Henson was an African-American explorer who accompanied the famous American explorer Robert Peary on his 1909 expedition to Greenland and became the first African-American to reach the Geographic North Pole. Henson and Peary had been on several voyages together but it was the 1909 expedition that earned them worldwide fame and catapulted them to the international glory. Their claim of becoming the first people to reach the North Pole has been subject to dispute though it did not prevent them from earning international honors for their achievements. Born as the son of two freeborn black sharecroppers, Henson was orphaned at an early age and was placed in the care of relatives. He left home as a young boy and found work as a cabin boy on a ship. Over the next few years he was mentored by the ship’s captain who took him on several voyages and imbibed in him a love for exploration. Years later he met Robert Peary who told him of his exploration plans and appointed Henson as a valet on his surveying expedition to Nicaragua. Henson proved to be a skilled travelling aide, and impressed by his capabilities Peary made him an associate for his future explorations.
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Childhood & Early Life
Matthew Alexander Henson was born on August 8, 1866, in Maryland. His parents were free people of color who worked as sharecroppers. He had three sisters. His mother died when he was just two and his father remarried and fathered more children. Unfortunately his father too died when Matthew was still a young boy.
Orphaned, he went to live with relatives. He spent a few years in the care of his uncle, but he too died not too long after.
Left to fend for himself, he left home and found a job as a cabin boy on a merchant ship named Katie Hines. The ship’s captain, Childs, took young Matthew under his wing. He treated him like a son and taught him to read and write.
The two developed a close bond and sailed around the world together, visiting countries like Japan, China, France, Africa, and the Philippines. Matthew became a skilled navigator as a result of these worldwide travelling experiences.
Later Life
His mentor Childs died around 1883 and Henson worked as a seaman for sometime before taking up a job as a clerk at a Washington D.C. clothing store, B.H.Stinemetz and sons.
In November 1887, he met Commander Robert Edwin Peary, an explorer and officer in the U.S. Navy Corps of Civil Engineers. Peary was looking for an aide to accompany him on his future expeditions and when he learned of Henson’s experiences at the sea, he immediately hired him as a valet.
Henson first accompanied Peary on his voyage and surveying expedition to Nicaragua in 1888, where Peary supervised 45 engineers on the canal survey. Henson proved to be a capable seaman on that trip and impressed by him, Peary recruited him as a colleague.
In 1891, Peary and Henson embarked on a Greenland expedition. It was an arduous trip, and several members of the team abandoned the trip long before its actual completion. On this trip Henson learned about the local Eskimo culture and the natives' Arctic survival skills.
They started out on another trip to Greenland in 1895. This time the duo planned to chart the entire ice cap. This journey proved to be very difficult as the team found itself on the brink of starvation at one point and had to resort to killing and eating their sled dogs. Eventually they managed to survive and returned home.
Their inability to reach the North Pole only fuelled their ambition further. Over the next several years, Peary and Henson made several attempts to reach the elusive North Pole. One of their attempts in 1902 ended in tragedy as six of their Eskimo team members died during the voyage.
By the early 1900s, their explorations were gaining national prominence. In 1906, they again embarked on a voyage which was backed by President Theodore Roosevelt. This time they were equipped with a modern vessel which could cut through ice. They reached the closest they had ever been to their destination when they came within 174 miles of the North Pole. However, the mission could not be completed due to unfavorable conditions.
Encouraged by the progress they had made in the 1906 trip, the duo prepared well for their next journey in 1908-09. Peary and Henson were accompanied by 22 Inuit men, 17 Inuit women, 10 children, and 246 dogs on this trip. They also took along several tons of meat.
This journey also proved to be a very difficult one and several people and dogs perished over the course of the voyage. The increasingly inhospitable terrains also made several of the voyagers abandon the trip and return home. Finally on April 6, 1909, Peary, Henson, four Eskimos and 40 dogs reached the North Pole.
The men were enthusiastically welcomed back home following the success of their expedition though their claim of having reached the North Pole was questioned by many. Nonetheless, Peary was hailed as a hero and showered with accolades. On the other hand, Henson, being an African-American, was largely ignored.
Matthew Henson published his memoir about his arctic explorations, ‘A Negro Explorer at the North Pole’ in 1912. The next year, President William Howard Taft ordered for Henson’s appointment as a clerk in the U.S. Customs House in New York City, a post he held till his retirement in 1936.
Major Expedition
Matthew Henson is best known as the aide of explorer Robert Peary who he accompanied on several arctic explorations, including the famous 1909 expedition to Greenland during which they became the first to reach the Geographic North Pole.
Awards & Achievements
In 1937, Henson became the first African American to be accepted into The Explorers Club; in 1948 he was made an honorary member.
The National Geographic Society awarded the Hubbard Medal to Matthew Henson posthumously in 2000. The medal was presented to Henson's great-niece Audrey Mebane. In addition, the society also established a scholarship in Henson's name.
Personal Life & Legacy
Henson married a woman named Eva Flint in 1891. Their marriage became strained due to his long absences from home and ended in divorce in 1897.
He tied the knot with Lucy Ross in 1906.
He developed relationships with Inuit women on his voyages and fathered a son named Anauakaq with a woman called Akatingwah around 1906. He did not play any role in the upbringing of his son.
Henson died in New York City on March 9, 1955, at the age of 88 and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.
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Matthew Henson biography timelines
- // 8th Aug 1866Matthew Alexander Henson was born on August 8, 1866, in Maryland. His parents were free people of color who worked as sharecroppers. He had three sisters. His mother died when he was just two and his father remarried and fathered more children. Unfortunately his father too died when Matthew was still a young boy.
- // 1883His mentor Childs died around 1883 and Henson worked as a seaman for sometime before taking up a job as a clerk at a Washington D.C. clothing store, B.H.Stinemetz and sons.
- // Nov 1887In November 1887, he met Commander Robert Edwin Peary, an explorer and officer in the U.S. Navy Corps of Civil Engineers. Peary was looking for an aide to accompany him on his future expeditions and when he learned of Henson’s experiences at the sea, he immediately hired him as a valet.
- // 1888Henson first accompanied Peary on his voyage and surveying expedition to Nicaragua in 1888, where Peary supervised 45 engineers on the canal survey. Henson proved to be a capable seaman on that trip and impressed by him, Peary recruited him as a colleague.
- // 1891In 1891, Peary and Henson embarked on a Greenland expedition. It was an arduous trip, and several members of the team abandoned the trip long before its actual completion. On this trip Henson learned about the local Eskimo culture and the natives' Arctic survival skills.
- // 1891 To 1897Henson married a woman named Eva Flint in 1891. Their marriage became strained due to his long absences from home and ended in divorce in 1897.
- // 1895They started out on another trip to Greenland in 1895. This time the duo planned to chart the entire ice cap. This journey proved to be very difficult as the team found itself on the brink of starvation at one point and had to resort to killing and eating their sled dogs. Eventually they managed to survive and returned home.
- // 1902Their inability to reach the North Pole only fuelled their ambition further. Over the next several years, Peary and Henson made several attempts to reach the elusive North Pole. One of their attempts in 1902 ended in tragedy as six of their Eskimo team members died during the voyage.
- // 1906By the early 1900s, their explorations were gaining national prominence. In 1906, they again embarked on a voyage which was backed by President Theodore Roosevelt. This time they were equipped with a modern vessel which could cut through ice. They reached the closest they had ever been to their destination when they came within 174 miles of the North Pole. However, the mission could not be completed due to unfavorable conditions.
- // 1906 To 1908Encouraged by the progress they had made in the 1906 trip, the duo prepared well for their next journey in 1908-09. Peary and Henson were accompanied by 22 Inuit men, 17 Inuit women, 10 children, and 246 dogs on this trip. They also took along several tons of meat.
- // 1906He tied the knot with Lucy Ross in 1906.
- // 1906He developed relationships with Inuit women on his voyages and fathered a son named Anauakaq with a woman called Akatingwah around 1906. He did not play any role in the upbringing of his son.
- // 1909Matthew Henson is best known as the aide of explorer Robert Peary who he accompanied on several arctic explorations, including the famous 1909 expedition to Greenland during which they became the first to reach the Geographic North Pole.
- // 6th Apr 1909This journey also proved to be a very difficult one and several people and dogs perished over the course of the voyage. The increasingly inhospitable terrains also made several of the voyagers abandon the trip and return home. Finally on April 6, 1909, Peary, Henson, four Eskimos and 40 dogs reached the North Pole.
- // 1912 To 1936Matthew Henson published his memoir about his arctic explorations, ‘A Negro Explorer at the North Pole’ in 1912. The next year, President William Howard Taft ordered for Henson’s appointment as a clerk in the U.S. Customs House in New York City, a post he held till his retirement in 1936.
- // 1937 To 1948In 1937, Henson became the first African American to be accepted into The Explorers Club; in 1948 he was made an honorary member.
- // 9th Mar 1955Henson died in New York City on March 9, 1955, at the age of 88 and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.
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Matthew Henson's FAQ
What is Matthew Henson birthday?
Matthew Henson was born at 1866-08-08
When was Matthew Henson died?
Matthew Henson was died at 1955-03-09
Where was Matthew Henson died?
Matthew Henson was died in New York City
Which age was Matthew Henson died?
Matthew Henson was died at age 88
Where is Matthew Henson's birth place?
Matthew Henson was born in Nanjemoy
What is Matthew Henson nationalities?
Matthew Henson's nationalities is American
Who is Matthew Henson spouses?
Matthew Henson's spouses is Lucy Ross
What was Matthew Henson universities?
Matthew Henson studied at Harvard University, Harvard University
What was Matthew Henson notable alumnis?
Matthew Henson's notable alumnis is Harvard University
What is Matthew Henson's sun sign?
Matthew Henson is Leo
How famous is Matthew Henson?
Matthew Henson is famouse as First African-American to explore the North Pole