David Livingstone

Date of Birth: March 19, 1813

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: May 1, 1873

Biography

David Livingstone was born in Blantyre, Scotland, on March 19, 1813. He was a renowned explorer, missionary, and physician who dedicated much of his life to exploring the African continent. Livingstone’s exploration endeavors were driven by his desire to find the source of the Nile River and to abolish the African slave trade. His expeditions through Africa were fraught with challenges, including difficult terrain, disease, and sometimes hostile encounters with local tribes. Despite these challenges, Livingstone’s contributions significantly advanced geographical knowledge of Africa and had lasting impacts on missionary work and the fight against slavery. Livingstone’s famous encounter with journalist Henry Morton Stanley in 1871, where Stanley reportedly greeted him with the words, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”, remains one of the most iconic moments in the history of exploration. He continued his work in Africa until his death, which occurred on May 1, 1873, in Chief Chitambo’s village at Ilala southeast of Lake Bangweulu, in present-day Zambia. His body was transported back to Britain, where he was buried in Westminster Abbey, a testament to the significant impact of his life’s work.

5 Interesting Facts about David Livingstone

1. David Livingstone was the first European to see Victoria Falls, which he named in honor of Queen Victoria.

2. He was a staunch opponent of the slave trade and believed that legitimate trade and the spread of Christianity were essential for Africa’s future.

3. Livingstone’s early education was limited, and he worked in a cotton mill from the age of ten to support his family.

4. He was awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Geographical Society in 1855 for his contributions to the exploration of Africa.

5. Livingstone’s heart was buried in Africa, as per his wishes, while his body was transported back to England for burial.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from David Livingstone

1. “I am prepared to go anywhere, provided it be forward.”

2. “If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don’t want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all.”

3. “I will go anywhere, as long as it is forward.”

4. “All that I am I owe to Jesus Christ, revealed to me in His divine Book.”

5. “God had an only Son and He made Him a missionary.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

David Livingstone did not accumulate substantial personal wealth during his lifetime. Most of his resources were dedicated to his missionary and exploration work. Therefore, his net worth was relatively modest.

Children

David Livingstone had six children with his wife, Mary Moffat Livingstone. Their names were Robert, Agnes, Thomas, Elizabeth, William Oswell, and Anna Mary. Tragically, several of his children died young or faced hardships due to the nature of his work and the conditions they lived in.