Friday 20 May 2016

DAVID LIVINGSTONE (1813 - 1873)



David Livingstone was a British missionary and explorer. He achieved more than any other Westerner to change the opinion towards Africa.

In 1841 Mr Livingstone was sent to Bechuanaland which is today Botswana by the London Missionary Society. He was determined to open up Africa to the Western World even if he would perish.

For 15 years David Livingstone travelled across Africa. He was preaching Christianity and at the same time mapped the territories.

By 1842 he travelled farther north into the continent than any other European.

In 1855 he reported the Victoria Fall and his last journey was in search of the source of the Nile. This took him deep into Africa.

In 1865 David Livingstone was reported missing and it caused great anxiety. Henry Stanley was sent by the New York Herald to Africa in search of Dr Livingstone. When he finally found him Henry Stanley said the famous words which went into history "Dr Livingstone, I presume."

He found the ailing explorer at Ujiji near Lake Tanganjika after six years searching for him.
Dr Livingstone survived attacked by lions and local people he finally succumbed to fever. His guides found him kneeling besides the bed as if in prayers. It was at his camp at Chitambo and it is today Zambia.

No comments:

Post a Comment