Discovering Matthew Henson: The Man and His Personal Information
Matthew Henson’s legacy still lingers today, despite the decades that have passed since his lifetime. He was a highly-skilled African-American explorer who is credited with being one of the first people to reach the North Pole. Even though he became a figure of international fame, many people do not know much about him, especially his personal life. In this article, we will delve deeper into who Matthew Henson was and discuss some interesting facts that make him stand out.
Early Life
Matthew Henson was born in 1866 in Charles County, Maryland. At the age of seven, he became an orphan and was sent to live with his uncle. Henson lived with his uncle for several years, during which time he was exposed to a wide range of skills that would later help him become an accomplished explorer. His uncle taught him how to fish, hunt, and navigate through the forests that surrounded their home.
Career
Henson fell in love with the idea of traveling and exploring early on in his life. He secured a job on a ship when he was thirteen years old and eventually landed a cook job on a steamship. It was on this steamship that Henson met Robert Peary, a renowned explorer. Peary recruited Henson as his assistant and together, they embarked on their first expedition in 1891.
However, it wasn’t until their sixth expedition that they finally achieved their goal of reaching the North Pole. Henson’s navigational skills proved invaluable to the team and Peary later credited him for his success. Despite this achievement, Henson never received the recognition he deserved and was largely excluded from the annals of history until much later in life.
Personal Life
Matthew Henson was married twice, first to a woman named Eva Flint and later to a woman named Lucy Ross. Both of his marriages were plagued with tragedy. Henson’s first wife died in 1906, leaving him to grieve the loss of the woman he loved. In an unfortunate twist of events, his second wife, Lucy Ross, passed away from the Spanish Flu epidemic in 1918.
Henson also had a son, Anauakaq, with an Inuit woman named Akatingwah. Although Anauakaq never found lasting fame like his father, he was an accomplished hunter and trapper. He wrote a memoir about his experiences growing up in the Arctic, which adds to the historical account of Henson’s life.
Conclusion
Matthew Henson lived an extraordinary life, filled with adventure and triumph, yet marred by personal tragedy. While he is most well-known for his exploits as an explorer, it is important to recognize him as a regular person, with a life that was full of ups and downs. Matthew Henson defied all odds to become one of the most accomplished and celebrated explorers of his time. His legacy serves as a reminder of the challenges that many individuals of color faced during his time. Henson should be celebrated as an admirable figure who never let his personal struggles dampen his spirit and who successfully pushed boundaries in exploration.
