A Black Explorer at the North Pole: An Autobiographical Report by the Negro Who Conquered the Top of the World With Admiral Robert E. Peary [Hardcover]

Matthew A. Henson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0781281776 | ISBN-13: 978-0781281775 | Publication Date: December 1991

When Robert E. Peary purportedly discovered the North Pole, the person standing beside him was a black man-Matthew A. Henson. Matthew A. Henson was born in Charles County, Maryland on August 8th, 1866. Orphaned at an early age, he went to sea when he was 13 years old, learned to read and write, and became an able-bodied seaman. In the ensuing years, he held numerous jobs. Henson was hired by Peary and proved to be an indispensable aide over the next quarter century. After realizing that he would not become famous during a stint in Nicaragua, Peary focused on conquering the North Pole. Named Miy Paluk or Matthew the Kind One by the Inuit, Henson mastered Inuktitut, the language of the Polar Inuit and became an expert sled driver and builder of boats and sleds. Henson considered himself "to all intents an Esquimo, with Esquimos for companions, speaking their language, dressing in the same ... clothes ... eating the same food, enjoying their pleasures, and frequently sharing their griefs". His hunting and sledding prowess has entered the annals of Inuit folklore. Henson accompanied Peary on eight journeys to the Arctic over eighteen years (1891-1909). After several failed attempts, On April 7, 1909, Henson, Peary and their four Inuit comrades attained their goal. Peary was credited with the "discovery" of the North Pole, although he (Peary) unequivocally declared the pivotal role Henson played as he asserts that when they were "within striking distance of the Pole the men's work is done. They shall no longer be needed. But Henson is not to return. I can't get along without him". If Henson was ignored, the four Inuit were totally forgotten. On March 9, 1955, Matthew Henson died in New York City at the age of 88. On November13, 1998, the United States Navy commissioned the oceanographic vessel U.S.N.S. Henson, in honor of Matthew Henson.

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Reprint Services Corp (December 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0781281776
• ISBN-13: 978-0781281775
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,242,200 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A BLACK EXPLORER AT THE NORTH POLE WAS ABOUT RBERT PEARY AND, November 15, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: A Black Explorer at the North Pole: An Autobiographical Report by the Negro Who Conquered the Top of the World With Admiral Robert E. Peary (Hardcover)

THIS BOOK SHOULD HAVE BEEN READ BY EVERY BLACK EXPLORER IN U S OF A SO THEY KNOW JUST HOW GREAT THIS MAN WAS.