John Hanning Speke was a British explorer and officer in the British Indian Army who is best known for his explorations in East Africa, particularly his discovery of the source of the River Nile.
Born on this day 4th May 1827 in Somerset, England, Speke was the son of a wealthy landowner. He was educated at various private schools before joining the British East India Company's army in 1844. Speke was posted to India, where he served for six years before resigning his commission to join Richard Francis Burton on his expedition to East Africa in 1856.
Burton and Speke's primary goal was to explore the interior of East Africa, particularly the Great Lakes region. In 1857, they arrived at Lake Tanganyika, which at the time was believed to be the source of the Nile. However, they were unable to confirm this, and the two explorers parted ways.
In 1858, Speke set out on a new expedition with James Grant. The two men travelled to Lake Victoria, which they believed to be the true source of the Nile. They continued north, following the Nile River until they reached the Mediterranean Sea.
Speke's discovery of the source of the Nile was met with scepticism by Burton and others, who believed that Lake Tanganyika was the true source of the river. Speke returned to England and presented his findings to the Royal Geographical Society, where he was initially met with hostility. However, his discovery was eventually accepted, and he was awarded the society's gold medal. The true source of the Nile is still disputed.
In 1860, Speke returned to East Africa to further explore the region. He was accompanied by James Grant and a team of porters. However, tragedy struck when Speke accidentally shot himself while on a hunting trip. His death was a great loss to the world of exploration, but his legacy lived on through his discoveries and the records of his travels.
Today, Speke is remembered as one of the greatest explorers of the Victorian era. His discovery of the source of the River Nile was a significant achievement that helped to advance our understanding of the geography of East Africa. Speke's name is immortalised in the many landmarks and institutions named after him, including Mount Speke and Speke Airport in Liverpool (Before being renamed) and the Speke Hall in Liverpool, England.
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