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Born: August 8, 1866 Died: March 9, 1955
On April 6, 1909, explorer Matthew A. Henson, selected by Admiral Robert E. Peary to serve on his expedition to the North Pole, became the first person to reach the pole. Henson was born in Charles County, Maryland to free African American parents on August 8, 1866. When Matthew was 13 he took a position as a cabin boy on a merchant ship. In the next five years he traveled the world while learning everything he could about seamanship. But, due to the racism and prejudice he experienced from white sailors, he left his life at sea when he was 18.
Soon after returning to the east coast, Matthew met Peary, a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy at the time. Peary offered Henson a job as his servant on an expedition to Nicaragua. During this time Henson demonstrated abilities in ways that proved extremely valuable to the expedition. As a result, Peary asked him to be part of the North Pole expedition and then employed Henson on his 1888 mission to Nicaragua. Henson accompanied Peary on his next seven voyages to the Arctic as well. On April 6, 1909, Henson, Peary, and four Eskimos became the first men to reach the North Pole.
Each expedition over the next two decades started from Greenland. It was here that Henson's experience at each attempt proved invaluable. He learned everything necessary from the native Innuit to live in the extreme climates of this hostile environment. In turn, he was responsible for training each member of the expedition, including Commander Peary. Though Henson was essentially the reason the group made it to the pole, it would be several decades before Henson received any credit for his contribution to the expedition.
At the age of 70, after more than two decades in the Customs House, he retired with a yearly pension of $1,020. Old age did not bring great financial comfort but Henson did live to see a more public recognition of his Arctic achievements. He was awarded honorary degrees by Howard University and Morgan College and belatedly admitted to the Explorers Club. With his wife Lucy, Henson was honored at the White House by President Eisenhower. Henson died in 1955, the same year as Peary's wife Josephine. Just a short distance from Robert and Josephine, Matthew Henson is buried with Lucy in Arlington National Cemetery. He was re-interred there in 1988, through the lobbying efforts of Harvard professor S. Allen Counter.
Matthew Henson died on March 9, 1955. On April 6, 1959, a memorial plaque honoring the accomplishments of this great explorer was placed in the Maryland State House. Throughout his life Matthew Henson overcame great adversity. In doing so he demonstrated the finest qualities of the human spirit.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower with Matthew Henson and Mrs. Lucy Henson admiring the
globe on April 6, 1954, the 45th anniversary of Peary's alleged arrival at the North Pole.
The four Polar Eskimos who accompanied Matthew Henson and Peary to the North Pole.
l-r: Egingwah, Ootah, Ooqueah, and Seegloo. Peary Collection, National Archives.
Burial:
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington County
Virginia, USA
Plot: Section 8 Lot 15 Grid X-8.5
Courtesy of Find A Grave
Matthew A. Henson: Polar Research Today |
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