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Matthew Alexander Henson
8th August, 1866 near Nanjemoy, Charles County, Maryland - 9th March, 1955 in New York City
Interesting Trivia:
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He runs away from home at age 11 after his father dies and his stepmother beats him
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At age 13, he becomes a cabin boy
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He was known for his pleasant personality
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In the 1893-95 Expedition, Cape Henson in Northwest Greenland, is named as a tribute to Matthew Henson by Robert Peary
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In 1906, Henson Bay in the Canadian Northwest Territories is named by Robert Peary as a tribute to Matthew Henson
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The Inuit people called him "Matthew the kind one"
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In Feb 1912, his autobiography “A Negro at the North Pole” is published by The Frederick A. Stokes Co. of New York
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Gets “honorary Master of Science degree” from Howard University and Morgan State College
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Becomes a member of the Explorers Club, based in New York, in 1937, in 1948 even Honorary Member
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In 1938, Henson Glacier in North Greenland is named after him by Lauge Kock, a Danish geologist
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In 1961 an honorary plaque was installed to mark his Maryland birthplace
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US Postal stamps featuring Henson and Peary's attainment of the Pole are issued in 1986
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Henson has amongst others, schools, a scholarship and a ship named after him
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He was originally buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, New York, but in 1988 his remains were brought to Arlington National Cemetery
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Married to: Eva Flint (1891-1897) and Lucy Ross Henson (had his only child by an Inuit woman named Akatingwah)
His Story:
Matthew Henson comes from a very poor background, born on a farm in Maryland.
After he ran away from home, he joined the sea and sailed around the world. Captain Childs took him under his wing and taught him things like literature, mathematics and navigation.
He was 22 when he met Commander Robert Peary in 1088 and went with him on his first expedition. Peary was very impressed with him on this expedition to Nicaragua and decided to have him travel with him on further expeditions.
On his Arctic voyages, Henson mastered the Inuit language and his skills came to good use. He could build sledges and train the dog teams. Also, his navigation skills were put to good use. His many skills actually helped enormously in all the Arctic expeditions, many of his companions stated that many times, he could get things done and was a great moral booster, never seemed to get upset or said an angry word. Fellow explorer Donald McMillan said Matt was: "...a better man than any of us."
In their famous reach for the North Pole in 1909, it was actually Henson who reached it first as he was sent ahead as a scout. But of course, Peary received the honors for it. It was not until years later that he received the honors he so much deserved.
He might not have been as famous as his employer Robert Peary, it was mainly because he was a black man and not because of his achievements. He was Peary’s companion for 18 years, exploring Greenland and the North Pole, achieving great feats. Peary had a lot of respect for Henson, for his skills and bravery, which was unusual for the time as racism was still very common. Also, Peary was not exactly known to get on well with anyone !
He wrote one book “A Negro Explorer at the North Pole” and collaborated with another (his biography) “Dark Companion”. This last book made him famous all over the world and finally gave him the recognition he deserved.
Te Papa Whale exhibition in Washington, DC