Matthew Henson

The first African American Arctic explorer who co-discovered the North Pole, breaking racial barriers in exploration.

Matthew Henson (1866–1955) was an African American explorer who played a pivotal role in Robert Peary's 1909 expedition to the North Pole. Born to sharecroppers, Henson's journey from cabin boy to polar pioneer challenged societal expectations of Black Americans in the early 20th century.

Henson's expertise in Inuit language and survival skills made him indispensable. On April 6, 1909, he reportedly reached the Pole 45 minutes before Peary. Despite this, his contributions were marginalized due to racism. Learn about his legacy in the National Geographic archives.

Henson's memoir, A Negro Explorer at the North Pole, highlights his resilience. In 2000, he was posthumously awarded the National Geographic Society's Hubbard Medal. His story reshapes narratives of exploration and racial equality.