Henry Morton Stanley

Date of Birth: January 28, 1841

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: May 10, 1904

Biography

Henry Morton Stanley, born John Rowlands on January 28, 1841, in Denbigh, Wales, was a renowned journalist and explorer famous for his expeditions in Africa. Stanley’s early life was marred by poverty and hardship; he was abandoned at birth and raised in a workhouse. In 1859, he emigrated to the United States, where he worked various jobs before enlisting in both the Confederate and Union armies during the American Civil War. Stanley gained international fame through his exploration of Africa, most notably for his search for the missing missionary and explorer Dr. David Livingstone, whom he famously greeted with the words, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” in 1871. His subsequent expeditions included mapping the Congo River basin and playing a controversial role in the establishment of the Congo Free State under Belgian King Leopold II. Stanley’s writings and reports from his travels were widely published, making him a celebrated figure in both Europe and the United States. He was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1899 and later served as a Member of Parliament for Lambeth North from 1895 to 1900.

5 Interesting Facts about Henry Morton Stanley

1. Henry Morton Stanley was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1899 for his contributions to exploration.

2. He initially fought for the Confederate Army during the American Civil War but later switched sides to the Union Army.

3. Stanley was adopted by a New Orleans merchant named Henry Hope Stanley, whose name he took.

4. His expedition to find Dr. David Livingstone lasted 999 days and covered nearly 7,000 miles.

5. Stanley’s exploration of the Congo River led to the establishment of the Congo Free State, a controversial period in African colonial history.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Henry Morton Stanley

1. “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”

2. “I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of duty alone. I pray for strength.”

3. “The mere animal pleasure of travelling in a wild unexplored country is very great.”

4. “There are times when one’s spirit is so low that it would be a relief to die rather than to continue the struggle.”

5. “The strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of his career, Henry Morton Stanley’s net worth was estimated to be equivalent to several million dollars in today’s terms, largely due to his successful publications and speaking engagements.

Children

Henry Morton Stanley did not have any biological children. He was married to Dorothy Tennant, an accomplished portrait artist, but the couple did not have any offspring.