1900day.year
Mary Kingsley
(1862 - 1900)
English explorer and author
English explorer and author
Mary Kingsley was an English explorer and writer whose travels in West Africa challenged contemporary views and contributed to natural history.
She traveled alone through uncharted regions of Cameroon and the Niger Delta in the late 19th century.
Her detailed observations of local cultures and fauna were published in her celebrated book 'Travels in West Africa.'
She collected specimens for the British Museum, enhancing scientific knowledge of African wildlife.
Her writings advocated for a more nuanced understanding of African societies, countering prevalent stereotypes.
She died from typhoid fever shortly after returning to England in 1900, leaving a lasting impact on exploration literature.
1900
Mary Kingsley