Matthew Henson (1866 –
1955)
The
Life of an Unsung Arctic Explorer
Early Life and Background
Matthew Alexander Henson was born on August 8, 1866, in
Charles County, Maryland. Orphaned as a child, he moved to Washington, D.C.,
where he apprenticed in a furniture store and learned skills that would serve
him later—mechanical aptitude, perseverance, and calm under pressure. In 1887
he signed on to work on the merchant ship, Katie Hines, beginning a life at sea
that led him to Arctic exploration.
Meeting Robert Peary and Becoming an Arctic
Team Member
In 1889 Henson met Robert E. Peary, a naval engineer
and explorer. Henson’s seamanship, leadership, and skills with tools and
navigation impressed Peary. Over the next two decades Henson served as Peary’s
chief assistant on multiple Arctic expeditions. He learned Inuit languages and
survival techniques, built sledges and equipment, trained dog teams, and guided
interactions with Inuit communities—skills crucial to long polar journeys.
Contributions and Role on Expeditions
Henson’s contributions went far beyond physical labor. He acted as a translator
and cultural intermediary with Inuit people, who shared essential knowledge
about clothing, food, and travel in extreme cold. Henson’s ingenuity in
building and repairing gear, his experience driving sleds, and his ability to
endure severe conditions made him indispensable. His records, observations, and
sketches also contributed to scientific and geographic knowledge from the
voyages.
The 1909 North Pole Journey
In 1908–1909 Peary led a final push toward the North
Pole. The expedition used staged supply depots and progressively smaller
advance parties. On April 6, 1909, a small party that included Peary, Henson,
four Inuit assistants (notably Ootah and Seegloo), and others set out on the
last leg. According to the expedition’s accounts, Matthew Henson reached the
pole alongside the Inuit guide Ootah about 45 minutes before Peary. Henson’s
presence at the final sledge team, his navigational work, and his relationship
with the Inuit were key factors in the mission’s success.
Recognition, Controversy, and Legacy
At the time, Peary received the bulk
of public acclaim and honors. Racial prejudices of the era limited public
recognition of Henson’s role. For many years Henson lived in relative obscurity
and financial difficulty despite his Arctic achievements. Later in life,
growing acknowledgment came. In the 1930s and afterward, Henson received some
honors, and posthumously he has been increasingly recognized. In 1988 the U.S.
Navy awarded him the rank of master sergeant; in 2000, his contributions were
honored with various memorials and historical markers. Historians and scholars
continue to debate details of the 1909 claim to the pole, but Henson’s
essential role as Peary’s partner and the expedition’s most experienced Arctic
hand is widely affirmed.
Personal Traits and Importance
Henson demonstrated exceptional resilience, technical
skill, cultural adaptability, and quiet leadership. Fluent in Inuit languages
and respectful of Indigenous knowledge, he exemplified how cross-cultural
collaboration can be pivotal in exploration. His life story raises important
discussions about race, recognition, and how historical narratives are shaped. His
memoir about his experiences, A Negro Explorer at the North Pole, was
published in 1912.
Why Matthew Henson Matters Today
He highlights the often-overlooked contributions of
Black explorers in early American history.
His collaboration with Inuit people models respectful
engagement with Indigenous knowledge systems.
His story invites
critical thinking about who receives credit in historical accounts and why.
Studying Henson encourages reflection on perseverance,
skill-building, and ethical remembrance.
Check out this video from National Geographic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNJCl3EtTtE
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