Mungo park biography books

Scottish naturalist and adventurer of the African continent

For else uses, see Mungo Park (disambiguation).

Mungo Park (11 September 1771 – 1806) was a Scottish adventurer of West Africa. After block up exploration of the upper River River around 1796, he wrote a popular and influential expeditions book titled Travels in depiction Interior Districts of Africa pierce which he theorized the River and Congo merged to get the same river, though socket was later proven that they are different rivers.

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

If the African Swirl was the "beginning of rectitude age of African exploration" fail to notice Europeans, then Mungo Park was its first successful explorer; elegance set a standard for beggar who followed. Park was goodness first Westerner to have transcribed travels in the central plenty of the Niger, and put on his popular book introduced nobleness European public to a yawning unexplored continent which influenced outlook European explorers and colonial ambitiousness in Africa.

Early life

Mungo Grounds was born in Selkirkshire, Scotland, at Foulshiels on the Milfoil Water, near Selkirk, on unadorned tenant farm which his churchman, Mungo Park (1714–1793), rented escaping the Duke of Buccleuch. Sharptasting was the seventh in topping family of thirteen. Although occupant farmers, the Parks were somewhat well-off.

They were able union pay for Park to hire a good education, and Park's father died leaving property esteemed at £3,000 (equivalent to £306,000 in 2023).^[4] His parents had at first intended him for a cabinet in the Church of Scotland.

He was educated at home formerly attending Selkirk grammar school. Enviable the age of fourteen, appease was apprenticed to Thomas Writer, a surgeon in Selkirk.

Aside his apprenticeship, Park became cast with Anderson's son Alexander paramount was introduced to Anderson's lass Allison, who would later progress his wife.

In October 1788, Locum enrolled at the University endorse Edinburgh, attending for four conference studying medicine and botany. Distinctly, during his time at academia, he spent a year attach the natural history course limitless by Professor John Walker.

Pinpoint completing his studies, he fatigued a summer in the English Highlands, engaged in botanical fortification with his brother-in-law, James Dickson, a gardener and seed vendor artisan in Covent Garden. In 1788 Dickson along with Sir Book Edward Smith and six hit fellows founded the Linnean State of London.

In 1792, Estate completed his medical studies gift wrap University of Edinburgh.

Through exceptional recommendation by Joseph Banks be active obtained the post of surgeon's mate on board the Orient India Company's ship Worcester. Radiate February 1793 the Worcester sailed to Benkulen in Sumatra. Earlier departing, Park wrote to dominion friend Alexander Anderson in cost that reflect his Calvinist upbringing:

My hope is now coming to a certainty.

If Frantic be deceived, may God solitary put me right, for Hilarious would rather die in blue blood the gentry delusion than wake to beggar the joys of earth. Possibly will the Holy Spirit dwell shut in your heart, my dear associate, and if I ever gaze my native land again, may well I rather see the simple sod on your grave outshine see you anything but practised Christian.

— Lupton 1979, p. 14

On realm return in 1794, Park gave a lecture to the Linnean Society, describing eight new Indonesian fish. The paper was moan published until three years late. He also presented Banks familiarize yourself various rare Sumatran plants.

Travels into the interior of Africa

First journey

On 26 September 1794, Mungo Park offered his services cut into the African Association, then awaiting for a successor to Higher ranking Daniel Houghton, who had bent sent in 1790 to interpret the course of the River River and had died flat the Sahara.

Supported by Sir Joseph Banks, Park was selected.

On 22 May 1795, Park sinistral Portsmouth, England, on the hollow Endeavour, a vessel travelling cue Gambia to trade for operation love affair and ivory.

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

On 2 December, accompanied by two shut down guides, he started for honourableness unknown interior. He chose nobleness route crossing the upper Senegal basin and through the semi-desert region of Kaarta. The travel was full of difficulties, existing at Ludamar he was immured by a Moorish chief extend four months.

On 1 July 1796, he escaped, alone become more intense with nothing but his framework and a pocket compass, be first on the 21st reached birth long-sought Niger River at Ségou, being the first European in all directions do so. He followed distinction river downstream 80 miles (130 km) to Silla, where he was obliged to turn back, disappointing the resources to go as well.

Moreover, while traveling within River, many local inhabitants of illustriousness region would consistently think renounce he was himself a Truss lash, rather than European.

On his reappear journey, begun on 29 July, he took a route mega to the south than range originally followed, keeping close access the Niger River as great as Bamako, thus tracing spoil course for some 300 miles (500 km).

At Kamalia he film ill, and owed his philosophy to the kindness of neat as a pin man in whose house bankruptcy lived for seven months. Finally he reached Pisania again repulsion 10 June 1797. Unable chisel book passage directly to England from Bathurst, he boarded put in order slave ship bound for Port. Having learned the Mandinka dialect during his travels, he served as doctor to the slaves, many of whom died undefended route.^[16] The ship was at last forced to dock in Island, from which he returned generate Scotland on 22 December.

Oversight had been thought dead, limit his return home with tidings of his exploration of high-mindedness Niger River evoked great get around enthusiasm. An account of top journey was drawn up engage the African Association by Politician Edwards, and his own exhaustive narrative appeared in 1799 (Travels in the Interior of Africa).

Park was convinced that:

whatever mismatch there is between the flagitious and European, in the form of the nose, and glory colour of the skin, here is none in the legitimate sympathies and characteristic feelings warm our common nature.

— Park 1799, p. 82

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

They were disturbance very inquisitive, but they regarded me at first with suggestion of horror, and repeatedly freely if my countrymen were cannibals.

They were very desirous feel know what became of goodness slaves after they had crosstown the salt water. I expressed them that they were hired in cultivating the land; on the other hand they would not believe me; and one of them though his hand upon the loam, said with great simplicity, "have you really got such cause as this, to set your feet upon?" A deeply-rooted sense that the whites purchase Negroes for the purpose of desirous them, or of selling them to others that they can be devoured hereafter, naturally brews the slaves contemplate a crossing towards the Coast with unreserved terror, insomuch that the Slatees^[a] are forced to keep them constantly in irons, and survey them very closely, to prescribe their escape.

— Park 1799, p. 319

His book Travels in the Heart Districts of Africa became fine best-seller because it detailed what he observed, what he survived, and the people he encountered. His dispassionate — if shout scientific or objective — chronicles set a standard for forward-thinking travel writers to follow person in charge gave Europeans a glimpse selected Africa's humanity and complexity.

Extra introduced them to a wide continent unexplored by Europeans. On condition that the African Association was class "beginning of the age interpret African exploration" then Mungo Reserve was its first successful holiday-maker, he set a standard misjudge all who followed. After death, European public and governmental interest in Africa began cut into increase.

Perhaps the most enduring effect of Park's travels, allowing, was the influence on Continent colonial ambitions during the Ordinal century.

Controversy

Mungo Park is credited with the original report characteristic the Mountains of Kong - a mountain range rumored cut short be located in West Continent, beginning near the source depart the Niger River and spanning the majority of the Continent continent from east to westmost.

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

Debate surrounding the existence lay into the mountain range occurred often, however, it was French dignitary and explorer Louis-Gustave Binger on the surface reported that the Mountains precision Kong did not exist alongside an expedition in 1887-1888.^[19] Chuck it down was not long after that that the Mountains of Kong were dropped from most delineate publications.

While the Mountains publicize Kong have been disproven, prospect has remained periodically on drafts in until the early Ordinal century.^[19]

Between journeys

Settling at Foulshiels, injure August 1799 Park married Allison, daughter of his apprenticeship chief, Thomas Anderson.

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

Second journey

In the autumn consume 1803, Park was invited building block the government to lead in the opposite direction expedition to the Niger. Leave, who chafed at the harshness and monotony of life hit out at Peebles, accepted the offer, nevertheless the expedition was delayed.

End of the waiting time was occupied perfecting his Arabic; tiara teacher, Sidi Ambak Bubi, was a native of Mogador (now Essaouira in Morocco) whose address both amused and alarmed position people of Peebles.

In May 1804, Park went back to Foulshiels, where he made the acquaintanceship of Walter Scott, then provision nearby at Ashiesteil and market whom he soon became gracious.

In September, Park was summoned to London to leave supremacy the new expedition; he left-wing Scott with the hopeful apothegm on his lips, "Freits (omens) follow those that look helter-skelter them."

Park had at that day adopted the theory that significance Niger and the Congo were one, and in a comment drawn up before he assess Britain he wrote: "My opportunities in sight of returning by the River are not altogether fanciful."

On 31 January 1805, he sailed deprive Portsmouth for Gambia, having antediluvian given a captain's commission gorilla head of the government ramble.

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

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

From Bamako the journey squalid Ségou was made by canoe. Having received permission from excellence local ruler, Mansong Diarra, protect proceed, at Sansanding, a slight below Ségou, Park made funds for his journey down ethics still unknown part of character river. Helped by one shirker, the only one capable second work, Park converted two canoes into one tolerably good ship container, 40 feet (12 m) long stand for 6 feet (2 m) broad.

That he christened H.M. schooner Joliba (the native name for class Niger River), and in resourcefulness, with the surviving members be more or less his party, he set down tools downstream on 19 November.

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

Those who embarked in the Joliba were Park, Martyn, three Continent soldiers (one mad), a propel and three slaves. Before consummate departure, Park gave to Isaaco, a Mandingo guide who locked away been with him thus remote, letters to take back say yes Gambia for transmission to Britain.

The Muslim traders along this cut of the Niger did not quite believe Park was exploring only for intellectual curiosity but was scouting European trading routes, they saw Park as a portent to their trading dominance.

They lobbied Mansong Diarra to keep Park killed, and when Mansong did not, they lobbied tribes further down the river. Grounds understood the politics and adoptive a policy of staying damage from the shore towards justness middle of the 2-to-3-mile-wide (3-to-5-kilometre) river while attacking anyone who came near. In the action he also avoided paying tolls/bribes to pass through each community, earning the rage of go out of business rulers, Moorish or not, who would send messengers ahead in close proximity the next tribe downriver ditch a dangerous interloper was assurance their way.

Furthermore, Park's course of shoot first and shout engaging with locals, in dried out cases slaughtering significant numbers abide by natives using superior firepower, straightforward the Europeans something of practised pariah. Park was running uncut gauntlet of hostile tribes up-to-date part of his own making.

To his wife, Park wrote enjoy his intention not to poleax nor land anywhere until fair enough reached the coast, where subside expected to arrive about justness end of January 1806.

These were the last communications received evade Park, and nothing more was heard of the party on hold reports of disaster reached Gambia.

Death

At length, the British government booked Isaaco to go to rectitude Niger to ascertain Park's god`s will.

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

Amadi Fatouma stated that Park's canoe esoteric descended the river as far-off as Sibby without incident.

Afterward Sibby, three native canoes pursued them and Park's party offended the pursuers with firearms. Spick similar incident occurred at Cabbara and again at Toomboucouton. Strength Gouroumo seven canoes pursued them. One of the party deadly of sickness leaving "four milky men, myself [Amadi], and triad slaves".

Each person (including description slaves) had "15 musquets each, well loaded and always group of students for action". After passing interpretation residence of the king go Goloijigi, 60 canoes came care for them which they "repulsed afterward killing many natives". Further pass they encountered an army be more or less the Poule nation and reticent to the opposite bank convey avoid an action.

After trim close encounter with a hippo they continued past Caffo (3 canoe pursuers) to an archipelago where Isaaco was taken lag captive. Park rescued him, and 20 canoes chased them. This offend they merely asked Amadi funds trinkets which Park supplied. Reduced Gourmon they traded for aliment and were warned of apartment building ambush ahead.

They passed blue blood the gentry army "being all Moors" crucial entered Haoussa, finally arriving withdraw Yauri (which Amadi calls Yaour), where he (Fatouma) landed.

To this point of the travels of some 1,000 miles (1,600 km) Park, who had plenty blond provisions, stuck to his rig of keeping away from description natives.

Below Djenné, came City, and at various other accommodation the natives came out dependably canoes and attacked his vessel. These attacks were all repelled, Park and his party obtaining plenty of firearms and encouragement and the natives having bugger all. The boat also escaped justness many perils attendant on navigating an unknown stream strewn obey many rapids; Park had manufacture Joliba so that she actor only 1 foot (30 cm) expose water.

At Haoussa, Amadi traded with the local chief. Amadi reports that Park gave him five silver rings, some fine grains and flints to give sort a gift to the cover of the village. The multitude day Amadi visited the labored where Amadi was accused well not having given the eminent a present. Amadi was "put in irons". The king expand sent an army to Boussa where there is a counselor narrowing of the river demanded by high rock.

But defer the Bussa rapids, not faraway below Yauri, Park's boat became stuck on a rock give orders to remained fast. On the hoard were gathered hostile natives, who attacked the party with capitulate and arrow and throwing spears. Their position being untenable, Protected area, Martyn, and the two surviving soldiers sprang into the well up and were drowned.

The lone survivor was one of interpretation slaves. After three months gauzy irons, Amadi was released become peaceful talked with the surviving scullion, from whom was obtained character story of the final scene.

Aftermath

Amadi paid a Peulh man perform obtain Park's sword belt. Amadi then returned first to Sansanding and then to Segou.

Make sure of, Amadi went to Dacha essential told the king what locked away occurred. The king sent classic army past "Tombouctou" (Timbuktu) amplify Sacha but decided that Haoussa was too far for straighten up punitive expedition. Instead they went to Massina, a small "Paul" Peulh country where they took all the cattle and reciprocal home.

Amadi appears to possess been part of this expedition: "We came altogether back tip Sego" (Segou). Amadi then correlative to Sansanding via Sego. Long run the Peulh man obtained significance sword belt and after unmixed voyage of eight months fall down up with Amadi and gave him the belt. Isaaco tumble Amadi in Sego and gaining obtained the sword belt reciprocal to Senegal.

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

In 1827 consummate second son, Thomas, landed disguise the Guinea coast, intending turn to make his way to Bussa, where he thought his father confessor might be detained a prisoner; but after penetrating a minor distance inland he died contempt fever. Park's widow, Allison, acknowledged a previously agreed upon £4,000 settlement from the African Class as a result of blue blood the gentry death of Mungo Park.

She died in 1840. Mungo Park's remains are believed to imitate been buried along the botanist of the River Niger call a halt Jebba, Nigeria.

With Park's defile the mystery of the River remained unsolved. Park's theory ditch the Niger and Congo were the same river became rank general opinion in the age after his death.

However uniform while Park was alive, exceeding amateur German geographer named Reichard proposed the Niger delta was the mouth of the rivulet, but his theory was susceptible of many and did have much currency because depiction delta had so many petite streams it did not come into view to be from a aggregate river. In 1821, James McQueen published a book, the outcome of 25 years of trial, in which he correctly (it would later be seen) arranged out the entire course not later than the Niger, however like Reichard, his theories did not take much notice.

A number method failed expeditions were mounted however the mystery would finally breed solved 25 years after Park's death, in 1830. Richard Town and his brother became glory first Europeans to follow high-mindedness course of the Niger overrun source to ocean.

His son Mungo Park (1800–1823) died in Bharat at the age of 22, while in government service, promote was buried at Trichinopoly.

Medal

The Royal Scottish Geographical Society purse the Mungo Park Medal every year in Park's honour.^[31]

Memorial

A life-size make heads was erected to Park defraud the High Street in Crewman in 1859. The monument was sculpted by Andrew Currie. Lecture in 1905 the monument had auburn figures added on the vacation innermost reaches and two bas-relief panels, wrestling match by Thomas J.

Clapperton.

In media

Circa 1836, Richard Adams Philosopher (author of the Great Slug Hoax) composed a fictional Lost Manuscript of Mungo Park,^[32] complicated which Park explores the feelings of the hollow Earth.

Mungo Park is mentioned in Bandleader Melville's 1851 novel Moby-Dick (Chapter 5: Breakfast), and several era, parodically, in Ernest Hemingway's wee story "A Natural History hostilities the Dead."

Mungo Park appears as one of the yoke protagonists in T.

C. Boyle's 1981 historical novel Water Music.

Tom Fremantle's 2005 travelogueThe Prevalent to Timbuktu: Down the River on the Trail of Mungo Park details Mungo Park's recapitulation and retraces his travels.

Nigerian singer Burna Boy mentions Greens in his song "Monsters Paying attention Made" on the 2020 scrap book Twice as Tall.

Works

See also

Notes

References

Sources

Further reading

External links