What was Matthew Henson first job?
Orphaned as a youth, Henson went to sea at the age of 12 as a cabin boy on the sailing ship Katie Hines. Later, while working in a store in Washington, D.C., he met Peary, who hired him in 1887 as a valet for his next expedition to Nicaragua (1888).
What are 3 important facts about Matthew Henson?
Fun Facts About Matthew Henson for Kids Henson learned the survival skills of the Eskimo people. Two of the trips ended poorly. On one trip, the team nearly starved to death. They had to eat some of their sled dogs.
What was Matthew Henson's most important contribution?
They spent a total of 18 years on expeditions together. He is best known for his participation in the 1908–1909 expedition that claimed to have reached the geographic North Pole on April 6, 1909. Henson said he was the first of their party to reach the pole.
What was Matthew Henson's childhood like?
His parents were free African-American sharecroppers. When Matthew was only four his family moved to Washington D.C. where his parents were able to find good jobs. Unfortunately soon after moving Matthew was orphaned, when both of his parents died. His siblings and he moved to an uncle who lived nearby.
Who discovered the North Pole?
On April 6, 1909, American explorer Robert Peary accomplishes a long elusive dream, when he, assistant Matthew Henson and four Inuits reach what they determine to be the North Pole.
Who discovered the North and South pole?
Roald AmundsenRoald Amundsen is the first person to have reached both the South Pole and the North Pole. He led the Antarctic expedition of 1910-12, which was the first to reach the South Pole, on Dec 14, 1911, a month ahead of the American expedition led by Robert Falcon Scott.
Why did Henson not get the recognition he deserved?
Even though Henson arrived at the North Pole before Peary did, he did not receive the credit he deserved at the time, largely because Henson was an African-American.
Who was the first person in the North Pole?
And here was the American explorer Robert E. Peary sending word from Indian Harbour, Labrador, that he had reached the pole in April 1909, one hundred years ago this month.
Why is Matthew Henson a hero?
Matthew A. Henson was a Black explorer and one of two Americans in Robert Peary's successful 1909 expedition to the geographic North Pole. He was the only American chosen for the final stretch to the Pole. Henson was fluent in the Indigenous language, an excellent hunter, cook, sled team driver, and troubleshooter.
What challenges did Matthew Henson face?
He married twice, and had no children apart from Ahnaukaq Henson, who, in 1987, at the age of 80, achieved his lifetime ambition of visiting the land of his father's birth. Obstacles he faced included ice floes, snowstorms, frostbite and racism: 9.
What is the most important fact about Matthew Henson?
Matthew Henson may have been the first person to stand at the North Pole. He reached the Pole as a member of an expedition to the Arctic led by the explorer Robert E. Peary in 1909. Matthew Alexander Henson was born in Maryland on August 8, 1866.
What was Matthew Henson's quote?
I think I'm the first man to sit on top of the world. It'll work, if God, wind, leads, ice, snow, and all the hells of this damned frozen land are willing.
Why is Matthew Henson so important?
Matthew Alexander Henson. On April 6, 1909, U.S. citizens Matthew Alexander Henson and Robert Edwin Peary, and four Inuit assistants, became the first human beings to set foot on the North Pole. Henson and Peary had been attempting to reach the Pole for the past 18 years.
Why is Matthew Henson a hero?
Matthew A. Henson was a Black explorer and one of two Americans in Robert Peary's successful 1909 expedition to the geographic North Pole. He was the only American chosen for the final stretch to the Pole. Henson was fluent in the Indigenous language, an excellent hunter, cook, sled team driver, and troubleshooter.
What was Matthew Henson's quote?
I think I'm the first man to sit on top of the world. It'll work, if God, wind, leads, ice, snow, and all the hells of this damned frozen land are willing.
What challenges did Matthew Henson face?
He married twice, and had no children apart from Ahnaukaq Henson, who, in 1987, at the age of 80, achieved his lifetime ambition of visiting the land of his father's birth. Obstacles he faced included ice floes, snowstorms, frostbite and racism: 9.