Matthew Henson, polar explorer. Click on image for full size (11 Kb JPEG) Photo by Robert Peary, 1908.

Matthew Henson was an arctic explorer during the late 1800s and early 1900s. In April 1909, the famous American polar explorer Robert E. Peary led an expedition which may have been the first to reach the North Pole. Henson (an African-American) and four Inuit men accompanied Peary on the final stage of that expedition to the pole.

Matt Henson spent many years exploring the Arctic along with Peary. He learned many of the skills of survival in the far north from the native Inuits, who admired him for his dog sled driving skills and his command of the Inuit's language. Peary once remarked that Henson "was more of an Eskimo than some of them".

Matthew Alexander Henson was born near Washington, D.C. on August 6, 1866. He became an orphan at the age of 11. Young Matt found a job as a cabin boy aboard a Baltimore-based ship, and learned to read and write from the ship's captain.

Henson was working as a store clerk when he met Robert Peary in 1887, and was hired by Peary as a valet for an expedition to Nicaragua. Matt spent much of the next two decades exploring the Arctic on expeditions with Peary, many of which included attempts to reach the North Pole. Peary claimed that the 1909 expedition finally achieved that goal, but there is considerable debate amongst historians as to whether Peary's group actually reached the pole or merely came close.

In 1912 Henson wrote a book about his explorations titled "A Negro Explorer at the North Pole". He collaborated with author Bradley Robinson on his biography "Dark Companion" in 1947. Henson father a son, named Anaukaq, by an Inuit woman named Akatingwah. Matt Henson died on March 9, 1955.

Matt Henson was awarded the Hubbard Medal for distinction in exploration and discovery by the National Geographic Society. Matthew Henson Middle School in Indian Head, Maryland (near Henson's birthplace) was named in honor of the explorer. The United States Navy also commissioned an Oceanographic Survey Ship with the name of USNS Henson in honor of Matt.

Matthew Henson, polar explorer. Click on image for full size (11 Kb JPEG) Photo by Robert Peary, 1908.

Matthew Henson was an explorer during the late 1800s and early 1900s. He made many journeys to the Arctic during that time. In 1909, a group led by the famous American polar explorer Robert E. Peary may have been the first people to reach the North Pole. Matt Henson was part of that group.

Matt Henson spent nearly 20 years exploring the Arctic along with Peary. He learned a lot about surviving in the cold from the Inuit people who live there. Henson (an African-American) learned the Inuit language and became very good at driving dog sleds. Peary once said that Henson "was more of an Eskimo than some of them".

Matthew Alexander Henson was born near Washington, D.C. on August 6, 1866. He became an orphan at the age of 11. Young Matt found a job as a cabin boy on a ship in Baltimore. The captain of that ship taught him how to read and write.

Matt Henson met Robert Peary in 1887. He went on many journeys with Peary. In 1909, Peary led a group that tried to make it to the North Pole. Henson and four Inuit men were also in that group. Peary claimed the group made it to the Pole, but some historians aren't sure whether he really did or not.

In 1912 Henson wrote a book about his explorations titled "A Negro Explorer at the North Pole". Later, in 1947, he worked with author Bradley Robinson on another book. That book, called "Dark Companion", was Henson's biography. Matt Henson died on March 9, 1955.

The National Geographic Society awarded Matt Henson the Hubbard Medal for exploration and discovery. Matthew Henson Middle School in Maryland (near the place where Matt was born) was named in honor of the explorer. The United States Navy also named a ship that studies the oceans the USNS Henson after Matt.

Matthew Henson, polar explorer. Click on image for full size (11 Kb JPEG) Photo by Robert Peary, 1908.

Matthew Henson was an explorer around 1900. He explored the Arctic around the North Pole. In 1909, a group led by the famous American explorer Robert E. Peary tried to make it to the North Pole. Matt Henson was in that group.

Matt Henson spent nearly 20 years exploring the Arctic with Peary. He learned a lot about surviving in the cold from the Inuit people who live there. Henson (an African-American) learned the Inuit language and became very good at driving dog sleds. Peary once said that Henson "was more of an Eskimo than some of them".

Matthew Alexander Henson was born near Washington, D.C. on August 6, 1866. He became an orphan at the age of 11. Young Matt found a job as a cabin boy on a ship in Baltimore. The captain of that ship taught him how to read and write.

Matt Henson met Robert Peary in 1887. He went on many journeys with Peary. In 1909, Peary led a group that tried to make it to the North Pole. Henson and four Inuit men were also in that group. Peary claimed the group made it to the Pole, but some historians aren't sure whether he really did or not.

In 1912 Henson wrote a book about his explorations titled "A Negro Explorer at the North Pole". Later, in 1947, he worked with author Bradley Robinson on another book. That book, called "Dark Companion", was Henson's biography. Matt Henson died on March 9, 1955.

The National Geographic Society awarded Matt Henson a medal for exploration and discovery. A middle school in Maryland (near the place where Matt was born) is named after Henson. So is a United States Navy ship that studies the oceans.