Matthew Henson

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Matthew Henson – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Matthew Henson (1866–1955) was an American explorer and the first African American Arctic explorer, best known for reaching the North Pole with Robert Peary. Discover his life story, expeditions, achievements, and legacy.

Introduction

Matthew Henson was an American explorer and adventurer whose extraordinary life broke barriers in one of the harshest environments on Earth: the Arctic. Born on August 8, 1866, and passing away on March 9, 1955, Henson is most famous for his role in the 1909 expedition that claimed to reach the North Pole with Robert Peary.

For decades, his contributions went underrecognized because of his race. Today, he is celebrated as a pioneering African American explorer, symbolizing courage, perseverance, and determination in the face of adversity.

Early Life and Family

Matthew Alexander Henson was born in Nanjemoy, Maryland, to free Black sharecroppers. His parents, Lemuel Henson and Caroline (née Turner), struggled to support their family.

By the age of seven, Henson’s mother had passed away, and his father soon after. Orphaned, he lived with relatives before striking out on his own.

At just 12 years old, Henson walked to Baltimore and worked odd jobs. He later became a cabin boy on the merchant ship Katie Hines, where he traveled the world and learned navigation, seamanship, and survival skills from Captain Childs — who took him under his wing. These formative years at sea gave Henson the resilience and knowledge that would define his future as an Arctic explorer.

Youth and Education

Henson’s formal education was limited, but his early seafaring experience became his true schooling. Captain Childs not only taught him to read and write more fluently but also trained him in geography, astronomy, and navigation.

By the time he reached adulthood, Henson had already visited parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe, gaining exposure to cultures and practices that expanded his worldview.

This combination of practical training and global experience uniquely prepared him for the challenges of polar exploration.

Career and Achievements

Meeting Robert Peary

In 1887, while working in Washington, D.C., Henson met Robert Peary, a U.S. Navy engineer and explorer. Impressed by Henson’s seamanship, Peary hired him as his personal assistant for surveying and exploring projects.

Their partnership would last over 20 years, during which Henson proved invaluable to Peary’s Arctic expeditions.

Arctic Expeditions

Henson joined multiple expeditions to Greenland and the Arctic between the 1890s and 1909. He quickly gained a reputation for his endurance, resourcefulness, and ability to thrive in extreme conditions.

He mastered Inuit survival skills — dog sledding, igloo building, and hunting — and became fluent in the Inuit language. The Inuit people admired and respected him, often regarding him as a leader.

The 1909 North Pole Expedition

The defining moment of Henson’s career came during the 1908–1909 expedition to the Arctic. On April 6, 1909, Henson, Peary, and a small Inuit team reached what they claimed was the geographic North Pole.

Henson later recounted that he arrived at the Pole ahead of Peary because he was leading the team’s sled dogs. In his memoir A Negro Explorer at the North Pole (1912), he wrote:

“I was in the lead that had overshot the mark by a couple of miles. We went back then, and I could see that my footprints were the first at the spot.”

Though Peary was credited for the achievement at the time, Henson’s central role has since been recognized.

Recognition and Later Work

Despite his historic contributions, Henson initially received little credit or reward due to racial prejudice. For years, he worked modestly as a clerk in the U.S. Customs House in New York.

Gradually, his legacy was acknowledged:

• In 1937, he was accepted as a member of the Explorers Club of New York.

• In 1944, Congress awarded him the Peary Polar Expedition Medal.

• In 1948, President Harry Truman and later President Dwight Eisenhower honored him at the White House.

• In 1988, Henson was reinterred at Arlington National Cemetery, near Peary, a final recognition of his importance to polar exploration.

Historical Milestones & Context

• First African American explorer to achieve international fame in polar exploration.

• His Arctic knowledge and respect from the Inuit people highlight cross-cultural collaboration in survival and exploration.

• His delayed recognition underscores the racial barriers African Americans faced in U.S. history, even after extraordinary achievements.

Legacy and Influence

Today, Matthew Henson is remembered not only as a co-discoverer of the North Pole but as a trailblazer who opened doors for Black adventurers and explorers.

He is frequently referenced in African American history, polar exploration studies, and discussions about overlooked contributors in science and discovery. Schools, research centers, and awards have been named in his honor.

His life story continues to inspire those who face systemic barriers, reminding us that perseverance and excellence can eventually reshape narratives.

Personality and Talents

Henson was known for his quiet strength, humility, and practical intelligence. Unlike Peary, who often sought personal glory, Henson focused on teamwork, skill, and survival.

His talents included:

• Navigation and cartography

• Dog sled mastery

• Linguistic skills (learning Inuit)

• Leadership in harsh environments

These qualities made him indispensable to Peary’s expeditions.

Famous Quotes of Matthew Henson

Here are some of Henson’s most memorable words:

“I think I’m the first man to sit on top of the world.”
“I was simply a Negro boy hired by a white man, but I was determined to go with him and stick to him through thick and thin.”
“Only those who have dared to go too far know how far they can go.”

These lines reveal both his humility and his bold spirit of exploration.

Lessons from Matthew Henson

1. Courage transcends barriers – Henson’s determination carried him to the ends of the Earth despite systemic racism.

2. Skills and preparation matter – His survival knowledge and leadership were critical to success.

3. Recognition may be delayed, but truth endures – His contributions were overlooked in his lifetime, but history eventually gave him honor.

4. Exploration is teamwork – His ability to work with both Inuit communities and expedition leaders ensured survival and discovery.

Conclusion

Matthew Henson’s life stands as a powerful story of resilience, excellence, and history corrected. From orphaned boy to Arctic trailblazer, he carved out a path that broke racial barriers and expanded the frontiers of human achievement.

Today, Henson is remembered not only for helping to reach the North Pole but for proving that greatness often goes unrecognized until later generations rediscover it.