Journalist Henry Morton Stanley began his famous search
through Africa for the missing British explorer Dr. David
Livingstone.
In the late 19th century, Europeans and Americans were
fascinated by the continent of Africa. Few did more to
increase Africa’s fame than Livingstone, one of the United
Kingdom’s most famous explorers.
In August 1865, he set out on a planned two-year expedition
to find the source of the Nile River. Livingstone also wanted
to help bring about the abolition of the slave trade, which
was devastating Africa’s population.
Almost six years after his expedition began, little had been
heard from Livingstone. James Gordon Bennett, Jr., editor
of the New York Herald, decided to capitalize on the public’s
craze for news of the explorer. He sent Stanley to lead an
expedition into the African wilderness to find Livingstone
or bring back proof of his death.
Henry Morton Stanley (1841 – 1904)
David Livingstone (1813 – 1873)
