Early Years
Matthew Henson was born in Charles County, Maryland in 1866. As a young man, he served as a cabin boy on a merchant ship. In 1887, he joined Robert Peary's expedition to Nicaragua, eventually becoming Peary's chief navigator and companion.
Career
Henson's career was marked by a series of expeditions, the most notable being his journey to the North Pole in 1909. He was the first person to set foot on the North Pole and was an integral part of the Peary Arctic Expedition.
Matthew Henson's North Pole Expedition
Matthew Henson's most famous accomplishment was being the first person to reach the geographic North Pole. He joined Robert Peary's expedition to Nicaragua in 1887 and eventually became Peary's chief navigator and companion. In 1909, Henson became the first person to set foot on the North Pole as part of the Peary Arctic Expedition. His courage and determination was unparalleled, and he was an integral part of the expedition success. Henson's accomplishments at the North Pole remain a testament to the strength of the human spirit.
Accomplishments
Henson accomplished several major things in his lifetime, including:
- Becoming the first person to reach the geographic North Pole.
- Publishing his autobiography ‘A Negro Explorer at the North Pole’ in 1912.
- Being inducted into the Explorers Club in 1937.
- Having a United States Navy ship, the USNS Henson, named in his honor in 1960.
