MISGUIDED MAGAZINE SPRING 2020

SPRING 2020
EXPLORERS
MATTHEW HENSON
American explorer Matthew Henson was 4 years old,
when his father moved the family to Washington, D.C.
in search for work opportunities. His father died there,
leaving Henson and his siblings in the care of relatives.
At age 12, he left to work as a cabin boy on a ship. Over
the next six years and under the mentorship of Captain
Childs, Henson learned literacy and navigation skills.
After Captain Childs died, Henson met Robert E. Peary,
an explorer and officer in the U.S. Navy Corps of Civil
Engineers. On the recommendation of the store owner,
Peary hired Henson as his valet for his travel expeditions.
Peary and Henson would make multiple attempts to
reach the North Pole. The team’s final attempt to reach
the North Pole took place in 1908. On April 6, 1909, Peary,
Henson, four Eskimos and 40 dogs finally reached the
North Pole. In 1937, a 70-year-old Henson finally received
the acknowledgements he deserved: The highly regarded
Explorers Club in New York accepted him as an honorary
member, and the U.S. Navy awarded him a medal in 1946.
He also received a cherished gold medal from the Chicago
Geographic Society.
Source: biography.com/explorer/matthew-henson
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