Matthew Henson: Explorer and Adventurer The NPR radio station estimates the number of people who died trying to reach the North Pole at 800 (“Profile: Matthew Henson”). 800 people repeatedly tried to fight the odds and be the first people to ever reach that corner of the world. The first successful men to accomplish such a feat were U.S. Navy lieutenant Robert Edward Peary and his colored assistant, Matthew Henson. Though on the same team, Henson happened to be pulling a dog sled ahead of Peary, which put him technically in front of Peary. That is how the colored pioneer Henson became the first man ever to walk on the North Pole on April 6, 1909 (Stewart). Matthew A. Henson’s adventurous nature came out at an early age, urged on by circumstances.
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Little did he know, this was where his grand journey would begin. A Navy lieutenant by the name of Robert Peary was shopping there, and Henson stuck his interest. After talking to the young black man so filled with energy, Peary was impressed by his sea credentials and asked Henson to be his personal valet for an expedition to Nicaragua (Editors). At first Henson refused; he didn’t want to be anyone’s servant. But the idea of traveling to Nicaragua grasped his heart, and in the end, he agreed. From that point on, both men embarked on numerous itineraries throughout the world. In time Peary set a new and harder goal than just going to various countries. He wanted to reach and explore the North Pole, and he needed Henson to accomplish this task. For 18 years, Peary and Henson repeatedly attempted to reach the North Pole and explore the land (Hudson). A motivated Henson spent a lot of time preparing for these missions. For example, he learned the language of the Inuit people who lived in these cold climates and got information and survival tips from them. Henson adapted well to the cold temperatures and the Inuit people. Peary even said, “He was more of an Eskimo than some of them” (Hudson). They made many trips, and each time they would get a little closer, but not quite make it. Finally, on April 6, 1909, Matthew Henson touched the snow of the North Pole and made history …show more content…
Racial prejudice was high, and Peary received all the recognition while Henson was widely ignored due to race. Things began to change, though, as time went on. Almost 30 years after the expedition, Henson was made the first black member of the Explorer’s Club in New York, which was an extravagant honor. After having the chance to meet Presidents Truman and Eisenhower, Henson died in 1855 at the age of 88 (“Matthew A. Henson”). After his death, he became more widely accepted and has been honored in a number of ways. Today, he has a Navy research ship after him (“Profile: Matthew Henson”) and had the honor of receiving commemoration on a postage stamp (Stewart and Mabunda). In 1988 he was reburied at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia with full military honors (“Matthew A. Henson”). Henson also had a son with an Inuit woman whom he never saw after 1909. The son named Anauakaq visited his father's grave and also met Peary’s Inuit son (“Profile: Matthew
Little did he know, this was where his grand journey would begin. A Navy lieutenant by the name of Robert Peary was shopping there, and Henson stuck his interest. After talking to the young black man so filled with energy, Peary was impressed by his sea credentials and asked Henson to be his personal valet for an expedition to Nicaragua (Editors). At first Henson refused; he didn’t want to be anyone’s servant. But the idea of traveling to Nicaragua grasped his heart, and in the end, he agreed. From that point on, both men embarked on numerous itineraries throughout the world. In time Peary set a new and harder goal than just going to various countries. He wanted to reach and explore the North Pole, and he needed Henson to accomplish this task. For 18 years, Peary and Henson repeatedly attempted to reach the North Pole and explore the land (Hudson). A motivated Henson spent a lot of time preparing for these missions. For example, he learned the language of the Inuit people who lived in these cold climates and got information and survival tips from them. Henson adapted well to the cold temperatures and the Inuit people. Peary even said, “He was more of an Eskimo than some of them” (Hudson). They made many trips, and each time they would get a little closer, but not quite make it. Finally, on April 6, 1909, Matthew Henson touched the snow of the North Pole and made history …show more content…
Racial prejudice was high, and Peary received all the recognition while Henson was widely ignored due to race. Things began to change, though, as time went on. Almost 30 years after the expedition, Henson was made the first black member of the Explorer’s Club in New York, which was an extravagant honor. After having the chance to meet Presidents Truman and Eisenhower, Henson died in 1855 at the age of 88 (“Matthew A. Henson”). After his death, he became more widely accepted and has been honored in a number of ways. Today, he has a Navy research ship after him (“Profile: Matthew Henson”) and had the honor of receiving commemoration on a postage stamp (Stewart and Mabunda). In 1988 he was reburied at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia with full military honors (“Matthew A. Henson”). Henson also had a son with an Inuit woman whom he never saw after 1909. The son named Anauakaq visited his father's grave and also met Peary’s Inuit son (“Profile: Matthew