Zipporah Jones
Staff Writer
Most history books will note that the first man to reach the North Pole was Robert Peary, on April 6, 1909, but this is not entirely true.
It is known, but often forgotten that Matthew Henson, accompanied Robert Peary on this expedition to the North Pole.
Henson was born in Charles County, Md. in 1866 to a family of freeborn sharecroppers. At the age of 11, he left home to find work and eventually did.
After working at a restaurant in Baltimore, Md., he found a job as a cabin boy on the ship, “Katie Hines.”
Leader of the ship—Captain Childs, taught Henson how to read and write during his time on the “Katie Hines.” Childs also taught Henson about seamanship and navigation.
While on the ship, Henson traveled to many parts of the world, including Asia, Africa, and Europe.
After Childs died in 1884, Henson went back to Washington, D.C., where he began to work as a clerk at a hat shop. This is where he met Peary.
Peary, impressed by Henson’s knowledge on seafaring, hired Henson to be his valet on his expedition to Nicaragua.
A long partnership between Pearson and Henson sprung from this, and they began navigating many lands together.
For about 20 years, Henson and Peary worked together, exploring harsh landscapes.
Reaching the North Pole was a mission that these two men were determined to accomplish. In fact, the men tried to reach it in previous missions, but had failed because of the harsh conditions.
The final attempt Henson and Pearson made to reach the North Pole was in 1908.
Henson, an expert dog sledder, hunter and craftsman, functioned as a guide and navigator during the expedition.
Henson had also gained a relationship with the Inuit people who lived in these harsh conditions. He was so familiar with the Inuit that he became fluent in their language.
The journey was harsh. They started off with 24 men and 133 dogs, but ended the journey with only six men, including Pearson and Henson and only 40 dogs.
Although there is speculation surrounding this topic, Henson is believed to be the first man, black or white to reach the North Pole.
During the journey, Pearson had fallen very ill, and may have stayed behind while Henson went on to place the American flag at the North Pole.
After the expedition, Pearson was credited with reaching the North Pole, while Henson’s part was fully ignored.
For several years, Henson had not received recognition for what he did.
In 1937, 70-year old Henson finally received some recognition and was accepted by the Explorers Club in New York as an honorary member. Also, in 1944, he received a Congressional Medal.
Henson—largely forgotten in history because of the prejudices that existed during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, contributed to future explorations in the North Pole.
Henson should be remembered as a pioneer who paved the way for many African-Americans and explorers for years to come.
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