Matthew Henson

Matthew Alexander Henson was born in 1866 in Maryland and became a skilled navigator and explorer. He accompanied Robert Peary on seven Arctic expeditions over nearly two decades. On April 6, 1909, Henson, Peary, and four Inuit guides claimed to have reached the North Pole, with Henson reportedly arriving first. His 1912 book "A Negro Explorer at the North Pole" provides a firsthand account of the journey and his crucial role as a surveyor, interpreter, and dog-sled driver. Despite facing racial prejudice, Henson's contributions were later recognized with honors including membership in the Explorers Club. His literary legacy lies in documenting African American participation in polar exploration and challenging contemporary racial stereotypes.