Welcome to the “Black History Month” edition of the Evolving Man Project’s Evolved Man of the Week profiles. Each week in February, we will highlight a historical black male figure who embodies what it means to be an evolved, famous, and non-famous man. The world needs to know their stories and deeds. This week’s honor goes to the American explorer and adventurer Matthew Henson.
Matthew Henson was born in 1866 into a family of sharecroppers in Nanjemoy, Maryland. Henson faced hardship in his early life and lost his parents at a young age. He found work as a cabin boy on a merchant ship at 12. This experience sparked his lifelong interest in exploration.
In 1887, a chance encounter with U.S. Navy engineer and renowned Arctic explorer Robert Peary led to a defining moment in Henson’s life. Henson’s work ethic and knowledge for such a young man impressed Peary. Peary would hire Henson as a valet and navigator for his upcoming expedition to Greenland. This marked the beginning of a 20-plus-year partnership between the two men.
Over the next two decades, Henson took part in seven of Peary’s expeditions to the Arctic, enduring harsh conditions and mastering the skills necessary for survival in the extreme environment. He became an expert dog sled driver, navigator, and craftsman, crafting essential tools and equipment for the expeditions.
In Greenland, Henson bonded with the Inughuit, the northernmost people in North America and part of the Greenlandic Inuit peoples. He learned to build igloos and sleds and became fluent in the Inuktun language. When provisions ran low, he hunted polar animals with a rifle and hunting knife, a life-saving skill. Most impressively, Henson learned the art of mushing from the Arctic Indigenous people.
He gained fluency in the Inuit language through his interactions with the locals, which was essential for communication and cultural understanding. He built strong relationships with the Inuit communities, earning their respect and trust. Peary was standoffish and less social than his colleague, Henson. Henson’s connection to the Inuit people was invaluable. He and Peary’s many arctic expeditions, skills, and survival knowledge of the Arctic landscape saved them on countless occasions.
Peary and Henson’s efforts culminated in 1909 with their attempt to reach the North Pole. The expedition, fraught with challenges and dangers, ultimately claimed to have reached their goal on April 6, 1909. While there is an ongoing debate and a lack of definitive proof because of technology limitations, some accounts suggest that Henson might have been the first person to reach the pole, arriving slightly ahead of Peary.
Despite his crucial contributions, Henson faced significant racial discrimination throughout his career. People often downplayed or ignored his accomplishments. He did not receive the same recognition as Peary. However, there has been a growing recognition of Henson’s pivotal role in Arctic exploration in recent years. Over the last few decades, there has been a growing recognition of Henson’s pivotal role in Arctic exploration.
Matthew Henson’s story is one of perseverance, resilience, and a continued pursuit of knowledge despite facing outstanding odds. His contributions to Arctic exploration and partnership with the Inuit communities deserve continued recognition and appreciation. Today we honor Matthew Henson as our Evolved Man of the Week.
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