Matthew Alexander Henson (08/08/1866-03/09/1955)
MSA SC 3520-12524
Co-discoverer of the North Pole

Biography:

Born on August 8, 1866, near Nanjemoy, Charles County, Maryland. Son of Lemuel and his second wife, Caroline (Gaines) Henson. Married Lucy Ross, September 1907. His only child was an Inuit son, Anaukaq. Died on March 9, 1955, in New York City. Buried, Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, New York. Re-interred, Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C., April 6, 1988.

Henson co-discovered the North Pole with Admiral Robert Peary on April 6, 1909. His memoir, A Negro Explorer at the North Pole, was published in 1912.

Return to Matthew A. Henson's Introductory Page

 
 
 

This web site is presented for reference purposes under the doctrine of fair use. When this material is used, in whole or in part, proper citation and credit must be attributed to the Maryland State Archives. PLEASE NOTE: The site may contain material from other sources which may be under copyright. Rights assessment, and full originating source citation, is the responsibility of the user. Tell Us What You Think About the Maryland State Archives Website! Archives' Home Page    |    Maryland Manual On-Line    |    Reference & Research    |    Search the Archives    |    Students & Teachers    |    Archives of Maryland Online Governor     General Assembly    Judiciary     Maryland.Gov

© Copyright June 15, 2017 Maryland State Archives