John Hanning Speke

John Hanning Speke

John Hanning Speke was a British explorer most famous for his role in uncovering the secrets of the Nile River. Here's a quick summary:

  • Explorer and Soldier: Speke (1827-1864) was a British military officer who served in India before dedicating himself to exploration in Africa.
  • Source of the Nile: He is most famous for being the first European to reach Lake Victoria, which he correctly identified as a source of the Nile River. This was a major geographical discovery.
  • Multiple Expeditions: Speke undertook three major expeditions to Africa, often collaborating with other explorers like Richard Francis Burton.
  • Hamitic Hypothesis: Speke is also known for the controversial Hamitic hypothesis, which proposed a racial distinction between certain African ethnic groups.
Found 1 books in total
The Discovery of the Source of the Nile
The Discovery of the Source of the Nile is a travelogue written by British explorer...
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