Synopses & Reviews
Published on the 100th anniversary of
Robert E. Peary and Matthew A. Hensons
world-famous arctic journey
Originally published in 1912 as A Negro Explorer at the North Pole by the renowned African American explorer Matthew Henson, this compelling firsthand account describes the journey he undertook with Robert Peary three years earlier to reach the North Pole.
Some expedition members questioned Pearys decision to take a black man on the final leg of the journey. Others defended it, citing Hensons popularity with the Inuit, whose language and skills hed mastered. Upon their return, Peary received wide recognition from the National Geographic Society and the U.S. government for his attainment of the Pole, but Henson was largely ignored, except in the Black community. In later years, Henson received much deserved acclaim for his twenty-three-year contribution to Pearys expeditions. This definitive 100th anniversary edition will be enhanced with material from the Explorers Clubs archives, including reference to Hensons correspondence with the Club and photographs of Henson ephemera. It also contains a list of Hensons honors and a bibliography of celebratory accounts of his achievements.
Review
"The fascinating and exciting diary of an extraordinary explorers." --Commonweal "An original document. . . . One of the giants of polar exploration, Henson had the graceful modesty of genuinely big men. . . . The world would know even more about him now if his commander, Peary, had been less an egotist and more generous in sharing credit for his discovery of the North Pole." --Book World
Synopsis
This 100th anniversary edition is enhanced with material from The Explorers Clubs archives, including photographs of Henson ephemera. It also contains a list of Hensons honors and a bibliography of celebratory accounts of his achievements.
Synopsis
From chapter oneWhen the news of the discovery of the North Pole, by Commander Peary, was first sent to the world, a distinguished citizen of New York City, well versed in the affairs of the Peary Arctic Club, made the statement, that he was sure that Matt Henson had been with Commander Peary on the day of the discovery. There were not many people who knew who Henson was, or the reason why the gentleman had made the remark, and, when asked why he was so certain, he explained that, for the best part of the twenty years of Commander Pearys Arctic work, his faithful and often only companion was Matthew Alexander Henson.
Today there is more general knowledge of Commander Peary, his work and his success, and a vague understanding of the fact that Commander Pearys sole companion from the realm of civilization, when he stood at the North Pole, was Matthew A. Henson, a Colored Man.
To satisfy the demand of perfectly natural curiosity, I have undertaken to write a brief autobiography of my Arctic work.”
Matthew A. Henson, 1912
About the Author
Matthew A. Henson (18661955), who was orphaned at age eleven and eventually found employment as a cabin boy on a ship, met Robert Peary in 1887 and later served as his assistant on seven expeditions over nearly a quarter of a century. Later in life Henson was elected to The Explorers Club in New York, and in 1988 his remains were reinterred in
Arlington National Cemetery near Pearys monument.