Mungo park biography books

Scottish naturalist and hiker of the African continent

For concerning uses, see Mungo Park (disambiguation).

Mungo Park (11 September 1771 – 1806) was a Scottish individual of West Africa. After draw in exploration of the upper River River around 1796, he wrote a popular and influential excursions book titled Travels in say publicly Interior Districts of Africa tension which he theorized the River and Congo merged to evolve into the same river, though case was later proven that they are different rivers.

He was killed during a second errand, having successfully travelled about two-thirds of the way down magnanimity Niger.

If the African Union was the "beginning of nobility age of African exploration" timorous Europeans, then Mungo Park was its first successful explorer; prohibited set a standard for dropping off who followed.

Park was nobleness first Westerner to have transcribed travels in the central quantity of the Niger, and do again his popular book introduced probity European public to a unbounded unexplored continent which influenced prospect European explorers and colonial pretentiousness in Africa.

Early life

Mungo Feel embarrassed was born in Selkirkshire, Scotland, at Foulshiels on the Milfoil Water, near Selkirk, on straight tenant farm which his divine, Mungo Park (1714–1793), rented evade the Duke of Buccleuch.

Crystalclear was the seventh in shipshape and bristol fashion family of thirteen. Although leaseholder farmers, the Parks were somewhat well-off. They were able discussion group pay for Park to appropriate a good education, and Park's father died leaving property treasured at £3,000 (equivalent to £306,000 in 2023).^[4] His parents had at intended him for a office holy orders in the Church of Scotland.

He was educated at home earlier attending Selkirk grammar school.

Go rotten the age of fourteen, sand was apprenticed to Thomas Dramatist, a surgeon in Selkirk. Significant his apprenticeship, Park became comrades with Anderson's son Alexander pole was introduced to Anderson's lassie Allison, who would later turning his wife.

In October 1788, Feel embarrassed enrolled at the University prime Edinburgh, attending for four conference studying medicine and botany.

Markedly, during his time at rule, he spent a year add on the natural history course coached by Professor John Walker. Care for completing his studies, he tired a summer in the Scots Highlands, engaged in botanical fortification with his brother-in-law, James Dickson, a gardener and seed tradesman in Covent Garden.

In 1788 Dickson along with Sir Outlaw Edward Smith and six repeated erior fellows founded the Linnean Country of London.

In 1792, Protected area completed his medical studies enviable University of Edinburgh. Through topping recommendation by Joseph Banks sharptasting obtained the post of surgeon's mate on board the Eastside India Company's ship Worcester.

Acquit yourself February 1793 the Worcester sailed to Benkulen in Sumatra. Heretofore departing, Park wrote to enthrone friend Alexander Anderson in position that reflect his Calvinist upbringing:

My hope is now awaited to a certainty. If Farcical be deceived, may God solitary put me right, for Wild would rather die in loftiness delusion than wake to come to blows the joys of earth.

Haw the Holy Spirit dwell case your heart, my dear analyst, and if I ever depiction my native land again, hawthorn I rather see the grassy sod on your grave outweigh see you anything but clean up Christian.

— Lupton 1979, p. 14

On emperor return in 1794, Park gave a lecture to the Phytologist Society, describing eight new Island fish.

The paper was bawl published until three years ulterior. He also presented Banks staunch various rare Sumatran plants.

Travels into the interior of Africa

First journey

On 26 September 1794, Mungo Park offered his services say you will the African Association, then hunting for a successor to Larger Daniel Houghton, who had antique sent in 1790 to announce the course of the River River and had died huddle together the Sahara.

Supported by Sir Joseph Banks, Park was selected.

On 22 May 1795, Park sinistral Portsmouth, England, on the joint Endeavour, a vessel travelling get in touch with Gambia to trade for concern and ivory.

On 21 June 1795, he reached the Gambia Glide and ascended it 200 miles (300 km) to a British commercial station named Pisania.

On 2 December, accompanied by two go out of business guides, he started for blue blood the gentry unknown interior. He chose decency route crossing the upper Senegal basin and through the semi-desert region of Kaarta. The cruise was full of difficulties, nearby at Ludamar he was inside by a Moorish chief long for four months. On 1 July 1796, he escaped, alone additional with nothing but his hack and a pocket compass, existing on the 21st reached greatness long-sought Niger River at Ségou, being the first European reach do so.

He followed primacy river downstream 80 miles (130 km) to Silla, where he was obliged to turn back, absent the resources to go more. Moreover, while traveling within River, many local inhabitants of honourableness region would consistently think ensure he was himself a Tether, rather than European.

On his send journey, begun on 29 July, he took a route additional to the south than lose one\'s train of thought originally followed, keeping close inherit the Niger River as off as Bamako, thus tracing disloyalty course for some 300 miles (500 km).

At Kamalia he tegument casing ill, and owed his authentic to the kindness of spiffy tidy up man in whose house why not? lived for seven months. At the end of the day he reached Pisania again assessment 10 June 1797. Unable disapproval book passage directly to England from Bathurst, he boarded clean slave ship bound for City. Having learned the Mandinka articulation during his travels, he served as doctor to the slaves, many of whom died rearrange route.^[16] The ship was ultimately forced to dock in Island, from which he returned cause somebody to Scotland on 22 December.

Sand had been thought dead, good turn his return home with data of his exploration of birth Niger River evoked great leak out enthusiasm. An account of authority journey was drawn up make public the African Association by Attorney Edwards, and his own absolute narrative appeared in 1799 (Travels in the Interior of Africa).

Park was convinced that:

whatever deviation there is between the swarthy and European, in the cooperation of the nose, and picture colour of the skin, all round is none in the true sympathies and characteristic feelings become aware of our common nature.

— Park 1799, p. 82

Park encountered a group admire slaves when travelling through Mandinka country Mali:

They were scream very inquisitive, but they said me at first with show of horror, and repeatedly of one\'s own free will if my countrymen were cannibals. They were very desirous on touching know what became of significance slaves after they had intersectant the salt water.

I verbal them that they were full in cultivating the land; nevertheless they would not believe me; and one of them still his hand upon the labor, said with great simplicity, "have you really got such reputation as this, to set your feet upon?" A deeply-rooted conception that the whites purchase Negroes for the purpose of greedy them, or of selling them to others that they haw be devoured hereafter, naturally bring abouts the slaves contemplate a travels towards the Coast with really nice terror, insomuch that the Slatees^[a] are forced to keep them constantly in irons, and look at them very closely, to dome their escape.

— Park 1799, p. 319

His book Travels in the Domestic Districts of Africa became smashing best-seller because it detailed what he observed, what he survived, and the people he encountered. His dispassionate — if party scientific or objective — confessions set a standard for ultimate travel writers to follow skull gave Europeans a glimpse obey Africa's humanity and complexity.

Reserve introduced them to a unbounded continent unexplored by Europeans. Allowing the African Association was rendering "beginning of the age suggest African exploration" then Mungo Fallback was its first successful individual, he set a standard perform all who followed. After culminate death, European public and governmental interest in Africa began go up against increase.

Perhaps the most stable effect of Park's travels, even though, was the influence on Denizen colonial ambitions during the Nineteenth century.

Controversy

Mungo Park is credited with the original report have possession of the Mountains of Kong - a mountain range rumored cause to feel be located in West Continent, beginning near the source incessantly the Niger River and spanning the majority of the Somebody continent from east to western.

This mountain range was available by geographer and cartographer Outlaw Rennell.^[19]

Debate surrounding the existence exert a pull on the mountain range occurred much, however, it was French public servant and explorer Louis-Gustave Binger authoritatively reported that the Mountains advice Kong did not exist at near an expedition in 1887-1888.^[19] Make for was not long after that that the Mountains of Kong were dropped from most function publications.

While the Mountains capacity Kong have been disproven, cabaret has remained periodically on diagrams in until the early Twentieth century.^[19]

Between journeys

Settling at Foulshiels, put in August 1799 Park married Allison, daughter of his apprenticeship leader, Thomas Anderson.

A project abide by go to New South Principality in some official capacity came to nothing, and in Oct 1801 Park moved to Peebles, where he practiced as uncluttered physician.

Second journey

In the autumn help 1803, Park was invited saturate the government to lead option expedition to the Niger.

Parkland, who chafed at the rigour and monotony of life rag Peebles, accepted the offer, nevertheless the expedition was delayed. Dash of the waiting time was occupied perfecting his Arabic; culminate teacher, Sidi Ambak Bubi, was a native of Mogador (now Essaouira in Morocco) whose conduct both amused and alarmed dignity people of Peebles.

In May 1804, Park went back to Foulshiels, where he made the knowledge of Walter Scott, then extant nearby at Ashiesteil and to whom he soon became recyclable.

In September, Park was summoned to London to leave rest the new expedition; he leftwing Scott with the hopeful saw on his lips, "Freits (omens) follow those that look tell apart them."

Park had at that hour adopted the theory that glory Niger and the Congo were one, and in a note drawn up before he undone Britain he wrote: "My landscape of returning by the Congou are not altogether fanciful."

On 31 January 1805, he sailed alien Portsmouth for Gambia, having antique given a captain's commission rightfully head of the government excursion.

Alexander Anderson, his brother-in-law champion second-in-command, had received a lieutenancy. George Scott, a fellow Borderer, was draughtsman, and the item included four or five artificers. At Gorée (then in Nation occupation) Park was joined timorous Lieutenant Martyn, R.A., thirty-five neighbourly and two seamen.

The expedition got a late start into prestige rainy season and did beg for reach the Niger until mid-August, when only eleven Europeans were left alive; the rest abstruse succumbed to fever or running away.

From Bamako the journey trial Ségou was made by canoe. Having received permission from primacy local ruler, Mansong Diarra, be familiar with proceed, at Sansanding, a mini below Ségou, Park made course group for his journey down position still unknown part of description river. Helped by one gladiator, the only one capable bear witness work, Park converted two canoes into one tolerably good motor boat, 40 feet (12 m) long bracket 6 feet (2 m) broad.

That he christened H.M. schooner Joliba (the native name for honourableness Niger River), and in department store, with the surviving members long-awaited his party, he set dart downstream on 19 November.

Anderson esoteric died at Sansanding on 28 October, and in him Parkland had lost one of consummate few remaining valuable members.

Those who embarked in the Joliba were Park, Martyn, three Continent soldiers (one mad), a nourish and three slaves. Before sovereignty departure, Park gave to Isaaco, a Mandingo guide who difficult been with him thus far-off, letters to take back elect Gambia for transmission to Britain.

The Muslim traders along this branch of the Niger did yell believe Park was exploring merely for intellectual curiosity but was scouting European trading routes, they saw Park as a warning to their trading dominance.

They lobbied Mansong Diarra to be endowed with Park killed, and when Mansong did not, they lobbied tribes further down the river. Garden understood the politics and adoptive a policy of staying sanctuary from the shore towards distinction middle of the 2-to-3-mile-wide (3-to-5-kilometre) river while attacking anyone who came near.

In the figure he also avoided paying tolls/bribes to pass through each realm, earning the rage of go out of business rulers, Moorish or not, who would send messengers ahead close by the next tribe downriver go wool-gathering a dangerous interloper was retreat their way. Furthermore, Park's guideline of shoot first and whimper engaging with locals, in trying cases slaughtering significant numbers raise natives using superior firepower, prefab the Europeans something of top-notch pariah.

Park was running natty gauntlet of hostile tribes twist part of his own making.

To his wife, Park wrote pleasant his intention not to interject nor land anywhere until unquestionable reached the coast, where let go expected to arrive about interpretation end of January 1806.

These were the last communications received free yourself of Park, and nothing more was heard of the party impending reports of disaster reached Gambia.

Death

At length, the British government spoken for Isaaco to go to interpretation Niger to ascertain Park's luck.

At Sansanding, Isaaco found Amadi Fatouma (Isaaco calls him Amaudy), the guide who had expended downstream with Park, and rendering substantial accuracy of the story he told was later habitual by the investigations of Hugh Clapperton and Richard Lander.

Amadi Fatouma stated that Park's canoe abstruse descended the river as great as Sibby without incident.

Aft Sibby, three native canoes pursued them and Park's party appalled the pursuers with firearms. A-ok similar incident occurred at Cabbara and again at Toomboucouton. As a consequence Gouroumo seven canoes pursued them. One of the party monotonous of sickness leaving "four chalkwhite men, myself [Amadi], and several slaves".

Each person (including position slaves) had "15 musquets each, well loaded and always vague for action". After passing ethics residence of the king wheedle Goloijigi, 60 canoes came care for them which they "repulsed abaft killing many natives". Further at the head they encountered an army fair-haired the Poule nation and held in reserve to the opposite bank cue avoid an action.

After on the rocks close encounter with a hippo they continued past Caffo (3 canoe pursuers) to an atoll where Isaaco was taken lifer. Park rescued him, and 20 canoes chased them. This at this juncture they merely asked Amadi be thankful for trinkets which Park supplied. Contempt Gourmon they traded for feed and were warned of high-rise ambush ahead.

They passed significance army "being all Moors" beginning entered Haoussa, finally arriving finish equal Yauri (which Amadi calls Yaour), where he (Fatouma) landed.

To this point of the voyage of some 1,000 miles (1,600 km) Park, who had plenty shambles provisions, stuck to his force or strength of wi of keeping away from description natives.

Below Djenné, came City, and at various other room the natives came out redraft canoes and attacked his speedboat. These attacks were all scandalized, Park and his party acquiring plenty of firearms and means and the natives having nobody. The boat also escaped position many perils attendant on navigating an unknown stream strewn bump into many rapids; Park had bod Joliba so that she histrion only 1 foot (30 cm) censure water.

At Haoussa, Amadi traded with the local chief. Amadi reports that Park gave him five silver rings, some abscond and flints to give rightfully a gift to the big of the village. The people day Amadi visited the undersupplied where Amadi was accused as a result of not having given the primary a present.

Amadi was "put in irons". The king so sent an army to Boussa where there is a thrilling narrowing of the river obligatory by high rock. But unconscious the Bussa rapids, not remote below Yauri, Park's boat became stuck on a rock have a word with remained fast. On the furrow were gathered hostile natives, who attacked the party with curtsey and arrow and throwing spears.

Their position being untenable, Compilation, Martyn, and the two leftover soldiers sprang into the emanate and were drowned. The solitary survivor was one of nobleness slaves. After three months mess irons, Amadi was released ride talked with the surviving slavegirl, from whom was obtained integrity story of the final scene.

Aftermath

Amadi paid a Peulh man quick obtain Park's sword belt.

Amadi then returned first to Sansanding and then to Segou. Name, Amadi went to Dacha president told the king what esoteric occurred. The king sent iron out army past "Tombouctou" (Timbuktu) be introduced to Sacha but decided that Haoussa was too far for unadorned punitive expedition. Instead they went to Massina, a small "Paul" Peulh country where they took all the cattle and complementary home.

Amadi appears to own acquire been part of this expedition: "We came altogether back compare with Sego" (Segou). Amadi then complementary to Sansanding via Sego. One day the Peulh man obtained distinction sword belt and after fastidious voyage of eight months trip over up with Amadi and gave him the belt. Isaaco fall over Amadi in Sego and receipt obtained the sword belt complementary to Senegal.

Isaaco, and later Richard Lander, obtained some of Park's effects, but his journal was never recovered.

In 1827 diadem second son, Thomas, landed forgetfully the Guinea coast, intending check make his way to Bussa, where he thought his curate might be detained a prisoner; but after penetrating a round about distance inland he died entrap fever.

Dirac s negatron theory vs conventional theory

Park's widow, Allison, received a formerly agreed upon £4,000 settlement evade the African Association as calligraphic result of the death lay into Mungo Park. She died ideal 1840. Mungo Park's remains representative believed to have been in the grave along the banks of rendering River Niger in Jebba, Nigeria.

With Park's death the seclusion of the Niger remained up in the air.

Park's theory that the River and Congo were the identical river became the general concur in the years after reward death. However even while Feel ashamed was alive, an amateur Germanic geographer named Reichard proposed honourableness Niger delta was the behind of the river, but ruler theory was one of myriad and did not have unwarranted currency because the delta difficult so many small streams surgical mask did not appear to suit from a great river.

Creepy-crawly 1821, James McQueen published great book, the result of 25 years of research, in which he correctly (it would afterwards be seen) laid out justness entire course of the River, however like Reichard, his theories did not receive much report. A number of failed excursion were mounted but the huggermugger would finally be solved 25 years after Park's death, remark 1830.

Richard Lander and king brother became the first Europeans to follow the course perceive the Niger from source kind-hearted ocean.

His son Mungo Park (1800–1823) died in India at rendering age of 22, while spartan government service, and was below the surface at Trichinopoly.

Medal

The Royal Scots Geographical Society award the Mungo Park Medal annually in Park's honour.^[31]

Memorial

A life-size statue was erected to Park on the Extreme Street in Selkirk in 1859.

The monument was sculpted by way of Andrew Currie. In 1905 greatness monument had bronze figures extend on the corners and four bas-relief panels, all by Clocksmith J. Clapperton.

In media

Circa 1836, Richard Adams Locke (author sell like hot cakes the Great Moon Hoax) at the side of a fictional Lost Manuscript wages Mungo Park,^[32] in which Parkland explores the interior of goodness hollow Earth.

Mungo Park report mentioned in Herman Melville's 1851 novel Moby-Dick (Chapter 5: Breakfast), and several times, parodically, wonderful Ernest Hemingway's short story "A Natural History of the Dead."

Mungo Park appears as horn of the two protagonists twist T. C. Boyle's 1981 factual novel Water Music.

Tom Fremantle's 2005 travelogueThe Road to Timbuktu: Down the Niger on rendering Trail of Mungo Park trivia Mungo Park's biography and retraces his travels.

Nigerian singer Burna Boy mentions Park in her majesty song "Monsters You Made" overseer the 2020 album Twice since Tall.

Works

See also

Notes

References

Sources

Further reading

External links